Imagine for one minute receiving that dreaded phone call, the one that everyone fears the most, whether you have elderly parents, children, or loved ones that work late, is that phone call that you hope and pray never happens. The one that wakes you from a dead sleep to inform you your loved one has been in a serious accident and is badly hurt. All the caller says is that you need to get to the hospital, everything will be explained when you get there. Now imagine being six hours away, having to drive that long with very little information on your husband, wife or child, or any loved one. The fear and anxiety would be overwhelming, to say the least.

Recently a patient's wife received that phone call. She was in Arizona where she and her husband live with their children. She was told her husband was in an accident and took a blast to the face and upper body, which resulted in many injuries and was transported to Providence Holy Cross Medical Center.

The patient's wife drove six hours here, worrying the whole time, how bad his injuries were, would he be able to continue to work, could he see, what damage was done to his eyes and so many questions going through her mind. During the drive, the patient's wife stayed in contact with her husband's employer and hospital staff. It was determined that the patient was not a trauma patient so his care was turned over to the Panel MD on call.

The next morning when nursing got morning report, the nurse, Myrene, started questioning why the patient was not trauma; the injuries to his face and burns to his upper body seemed pretty severe. Myrene then called her Resource nurse and had her look at the patient. Upon reviewing the patient and chart, the Resource Nurse felt that the patient should be trauma. Resource Nurse then contacted Case Management. During this time Myrene was keeping a very close eye on the patient, as his face seemed to be swelling. Worried about the pt's airway, Myrene contacted the primary doctor who stated that the trauma physician did not deem the patient to be trauma. Myrene stressed the point that the patient should be trauma. Case Management then spoke with administration for guidance. The trauma physician saw the patient and ordered a transfer for a higher level of care. Case Management and Discharge planner collaborated to transfer the patient.

During this time, however, the patient's wife had shown up and had many concerns and questions and was very, very frightened. The patient's room was a flutter of activity with staff going in and out of the room, nursing tending to the patient, primary physician talking to patient and wife, etc. In the middle of all the chaos is the nurse, Myrene, tending to the patient, ensuring that he was maintaining his airway, giving his medications and keeping him calm. Myrene maintained professionalism, compassion, and understanding during chaotic time.

She stayed persistent in getting the consultants to see the patient before he was transferred. The patient's eyes were swollen shut and unable to see and the wife and patient had a lot of anxiety and fear over this, but Myrene NEVER gave up on getting the eye doctor here to evaluate the patient. The ophthalmologist showed up and cleared the patient and his vision, which was a great relief to the patient and family. Myrene continued to care for the patient, applying cream on his burns, keeping his head up, continuously speaking with the patient, and wife keeping the fears and anxiety to a minimum. Myrene NEVER lost sight of what matters the most the patient.

Myrene showed compassion, respect, justice and excellence. She provided compassionate care to a vulnerable patient. Myrene is the epitome of everything Holy Cross stands for. She is a shining star. She handled stress and chaos with grace. So ask yourself this question--- Is Myrene the kind of nurse you would want taking care of you or your family member if they were hurt? This defines the DAISY award nurse.