An elderly gentleman with a history of cirrhosis came into the ER for massive hematemesis. He was covered in blood with a BP of 50/30. His son brought him in by private vehicle and he was already going in and out of consciousness. Taylor jumped into action as we got access and began to rapidly transfuse the patient. The patient’s blood pressure would temporarily improve with transfusion however he continued to vomit large amounts of blood.

It soon became apparent that he would likely not live through this massive GI bleed. Not only was he not stable for endoscopy, but he also had advanced liver failure and was already considering hospice. Despite Taylor providing exceptional medical care to this patient, it is not why I am nominating her for a DAISY Award.

As the patient received more and more blood products through the rapid transfuser, he began to develop urticaria and severe itching that was causing him a lot of distress. Most others at that point would ask for a Benadryl order and leave it at that. For this dying man, Taylor understood that medicine had nothing more to offer him and they sought to do what they could to make his final moments less distressing. She filled up several ice packs, placed them on his chest that he had itched raw, and then sat with him and scratched his back. Immediately the patient became much less agitated and more at peace. I think Taylor is an excellent, compassionate nurse and I want to acknowledge it with a DAISY Award.