It was 4.30 pm when the OR received a call about a patient with a debilitating injury that was threatening to sight. The patient had a penetrating injury to his eye and rupture of the globe. Delaying this procedure would have caused permanent sight loss to the patient.
The Emergency team staff on duty were unfamiliar how to handle this type of surgery and, although not allocated to that area, one nurse realized that the team was apprehensive about working on a procedure that was not common and with a team they did not know. She had just completed her duty in a different specialty but due to her prior experience in ophthalmology, she stepped in and guided the team on the required equipment and the general set up for the procedure. By 5 pm she had organized everyone and stayed for the surgery to show support 4 hours over her allocated duty time. Mariam did not leave the surgery department until all staff was happy that there were no further complications and her skill was no longer required. Not only did she support her colleagues but she was the patient's advocate, exemplifying the true character of a DAISY Nurse.