Annie's clinical skill and especially her compassionate care exemplify the kind of nurse that our patients, their families, and our staff recognize as an outstanding role model. She consistently meets all of the following criteria: Integrity, Partnership, Flexibility/Innovation, Service and Quality.
I have worked with Annie for many years and her actions still impress and amaze me. A recent scenario involved a long-time dialysis patient whose cancer re-occurred and probably could not be treated any longer. The patient was being dialyzed by Annie and was in considerable pain. Annie looked to see what was ordered and what she could give the patient and was not satisfied with the result. She called the nephrologist (calling the nephrologist was the appropriate chain of command). Annie was still not satisfied with the answer she received to continue the treatment. She knew the patient was dying and needed comfort to be addressed. Annie called the primary MD, explained the ongoing pain despite treatment and requested the MD see the patient immediately. Annie knew the patient's brother, the only relative of the patient, would need to be called too.
Annie worked with the primary MD, had the brother called and stayed at the patient's bedside providing soothing words, a comforting touch, and support. When the brother arrived, he was devastated that his sister had declined so swiftly. Annie said the brother "cried like a baby" and she had never seen such outward grief and love expressed. Annie stayed at the bedside, rubbed the patient's head, and demonstrated the compassion and empathy nurses are known for. The patient had the dialysis treatment completed, was taken back to her room, comfort care started, and the patient passed that night with her brother at the bedside. Annie was a true patient advocate and I was so proud to have her as part of our department.
On another note, a few days later one of my RNs texted me that her mother was actively dying and wanted to know if someone could relieve her from the dialysis treatment she was administering at a patient's bedside. I knew time was not on my side. The relief RN would take an hour to get there and I was fearful that the RN's mother would already have passed. I only had Annie and a trainee in house. I went to Annie and explained the predicament. Immediately she came up with a plan to have the trainee (who was competent) go replace the RN whose mother was dying while she finished the current case. I stayed with the trainee (again competent in dialysis) and the RN left. She arrived home just in time to be with her mother as she passed away peacefully. Again, an example of Annie being compassionate and thinking of others in need, this time a co-worker.
Many people do not realize the compassionate care a dialysis RN provides. Annie is a true DAISY Nurse.
Note: The DAISY Award was presented to Annie on April 30, 2019, her last day as a Kaiser Permanente employee. It was a warm send-off into retirement after 36 years of service.