Ashlei was a nurse who would often take care of our patients post operatively double mastectomy with reconstruction on the 7th floor, and I always rounded on these patients the next morning. Ashlei was not only clinically one of the best nurses I have ever worked with, but her true care for the patient and their family left me knowing as the provider, our patients were always in the greatest hands.
I would never know how absolutely true this was until I became Ashlei's patient. In April, I came down with the first symptoms of COVID-19 of eye fatigue and redness. I woke up with shortness of breath and lost complete taste and smell. I called my pulmonologist of 30 years and the physician on call told me to shelter in place, but if my vitals got bad I needed to have a ride to the hospital because the oxygen could drop fast. Fast forward 3 days, when my heart rate would not go under 120 for 2 hours and my oxygen saturation dropped to 85%, a retired physician friend of mine carried me to her car and brought me to the ER at PSV.
They told me later my heart rate when I checked in was 202, my blood pressure was 170/110, and my lactate was 4.1. The ER doctor was going to admit me. When the amazing techs were taking me to my room for the night, I asked what floor I was going to and they said 7. I specifically remember telling them, "that is so crazy, that is where I usually round on our breast cancer patients." And as I came to my room for the night, who was there, Ashlei. I saw Ashlei and I started balling crying I was so relieved to know I was going to be in the best hands. I couldn't walk because my muscle breakdown was so severe, so she helped transfer me to the bed. I was still crying and it was only us in the room and she grabbed my hand, and said, "I'm going to take care of you, you are in good hands, and WE are going to get you through this". More tears came, I have never been so grateful.
Ashlei not only helped physically move me to the commode, help me urinate, get out of bed, but demonstrated the incredible clinical nursing skills she possessed by calling the doctor for more fluids, getting another lactate exam, yet she ran every one of these decisions by me. She was also tough on me when I tried to get out of bed on my own and called me and said, "not yet, you are still a fall risk."
What makes my story unique is as a PA, I knew what all the numbers meant, and I knew none of it was good at that point. But Ashlei comforted me, treated me with medicine and fluids, but even more importantly, love, compassion, kindness, and humanity.
As a PA, I always say, I cannot do anything without our nurses and with COVID-19, Ashlei and our nurses have become not only nurses, but confidants, spiritual advisors, food and drink delivery, along with all their other duties. And Ashlei did all of this for me with Absolute GRACE.
Ashlei demonstrated literally all the characteristics of a DAISY Nurse, patient and family-centered care, safe patient care, evidence-based practice, collegiality, professionalism, advocacy, and especially exemplified Providence Mission and Core Values. The care I received at PSV while I was there was absolutely exceptional, but it is Ashlei that believed and took care of me when I didn't believe or have the ability to take care of myself.
It is my opinion Ashlei exemplifies what The DAISY Award stands for, and this is coming from another medical professional. May all the incredible nurses have an Ashlei to mentor them, for she is the best of humanity.