Cody has been an employee of the Salisbury Healthcare System, Kernersville HCC for over a year. He has over two years of practice and expertise in the nursing profession and is a US Army Veteran, serving in Iraq with the 1st Cavalry Division, which he uses to deliver excellent care and compassion to our veteran population. Cody consistently meets the DAISY Award values through his display of a caring attitude, his focus on meeting the needs of the Veteran and family, his demonstration of excellent assessment and critical thinking skills, and his history of making a significant difference in the life of a veteran.
An elderly veteran from an assisted living facility was scheduled for a primary care appointment but did not show up at his scheduled time. Unbeknownst to any of the members of the primary care team, the veteran had recently started exhibiting behavioral concerns at his facility. According to care team members at the facility, the veteran had been displaying signs of depression, anxiety, and an elevation in physically aggressive behavior towards himself and others.
According to the veteran, his son had not visited in more than three weeks and his bank account was in arrears, which was discovered after his debit card was declined. These events led to the escalation of his depression and destructive behaviors.
Later that day, the veteran presented to primary care, escorted by a driver and an employee of his facility. Cody's tour had already ended but he graciously assisted the veteran to the primary clinic to address his urgent needs. Cody collaborated with the veteran's primary physician and social worker to provide the appropriate diagnostic tests and consults. Cody personally escorted the veteran to the lab for testing and then to mental health for a consultation.
En route to mental health, Cody heard the veteran say that he "would end it all now." Cody witnessed the veteran produce a steak knife and raise it to stab himself in the neck. Cody, without hesitation, instinctively intervened without regard to his own safety and successfully disarmed the veteran without injury to any party. He was then able to expeditiously transport the veteran to mental health where the coordination of care was conducted to have the veteran committed to a community hospital.
Cody's bravery, swift action, and excellent critical thinking skills prevented the veteran from killing himself or injuring someone else. It was a direct result of Cody's actions that the veteran was safely transported to a community hospital for treatment and counseling. Cody's clinical skills and especially his compassionate care exemplify a true DAISY Nurse.