Kathy and I were assigned to a patient in the ICU whose condition was grave. The patient was not responding to the medical care being provided and was continuing to deteriorate. The family did not understand that the prognosis for their loved one was very poor, cardiac arrest was imminent and resuscitation efforts would unlikely be successful. The nurses and doctors met with the family to discuss the situation but the family was struggling with making the decision about whether or not to resuscitate their beloved family member.
Kathy quietly entered the room and introduced herself. She first assessed the patient, and then went over to talk to the family. She comforted them and then she gently explained what was going to happen as their loved one continued to deteriorate. Kathy explained that death was inevitable, even with CPR and resuscitation efforts. She explained, ever so gently, how CPR could be avoided which would allow the patient to die peacefully. As Kathy spoke, the room was filled with tears, but the family was able to reach the difficult decision to withhold resuscitation efforts and let their loved one pass away peacefully.
In all my years in the medical profession, I have not witnessed this being done with such grace and dignified assurance. Kathy is truly an example of what the DAISY Award represents. She has touched the lives of that patient's family forever.