Tiana Coleman-Crispin has been recognized for her outstanding care by the family of one of her primary patients. The patient presented with a grim medical prognosis and condition that caused his mind to deteriorate rapidly. He often displayed behaviors that posed a threat to himself and staff. His personality waxed and waned from erratic and paranoid to cheerful and joking. Tiana spent a great deal of time building a relationship with the patient and the patient's siblings. While the patient had limited short term memory, Tiana seemed to be able to create a bond with him that provided the patient with some level of security. She was able to get the patient to participate in activities that no one else could. As written in a thank you letter from the family, "she really let other nurses know not to be afraid of him but to help him by being firm but kind."
It is not uncommon for nurses to call family to ask for assistance or share reports of bad days but Tiana found it of the same importance to call and share when the patient had good days. In a letter written by the patient's sister she shared, "She even called me one day to tell me that he was having a really great day, laughing and talking to everyone around. That brought me great joy since he seemed to have more bad days than good days."
The patient was unable to be placed in a lower level of care due to his unpredictable behavior resulting from his illness. The patient spent 4 months on East 8 eventually succumbing to his illness. Tiana never questioned her role as his primary nurse even when things were very difficult. She never stopped trying to advocate for the patient as his disease progressed and care needs changed. Tiana went out of her way to make sure that the patient maintained as much dignity as possible in his final days.
Days after his death Tiana called the patient's sister to see how she was holding up. Her call was received with great appreciation and the family came to see her after the patients passing.