The GI consult team had the privilege of taking care of one of your patients on C9 last week. He is a young man admitted for abdominal pain, fever and poor weight gain for a lengthy period of time. While consulting, we had the opportunity to emphasize the need for appropriate nutrition in this patient who was malnourished. If he was unable to eat by mouth, we strongly recommended enteral tube feeding. In fact, he had been on intermittent NG feeds, but the tube came out and currently he was without a feeding tube and had very poor intake by mouth.
Sylvia went above and beyond the call of duty to help this young man. First, she standardized the method in which his daily weight was obtained providing useful information to the consult team. Next, she ensured that the registered dietitian was keeping up with daily calorie counts. Most importantly, she talked to the patient, encouraged him, and provided him with high-calorie nutrition while making sure that he took in an appropriate amount.
Moreover, she gave a good checkout to the oncoming night RN who also continued the great care she started. With her encouragement, this young man was able to consume and meet 125% of the estimated needs of nutrition the next day. She definitely helped this patient who needed the encouragement and compassion.
We are very impressed with her nursing care and dedication. This wouldn't have been possible without true compassion, an attitude of caring and a true calling. Sylvia embodies our vision. She is proactively helpful, driven, capable and confident and committed to our mission 'Making life better for children'.
Note: This is Sylvia's 2nd DAISY Award!