Maureen O’Connell is a DAISY nurse. A recent patient on the maternity unit was determined to be safe for discharge with her baby, as per the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS). Mo was originally off the day the mother was to go home, but it was getting busy and the nurses needed extra help. They called Mo, and of course she said she would help. Upon learning of that this patient was to be discharged, Mo went to the nursing office and asked the Nursing Supervisor what she had to do to prevent this baby from being potentially discharged to an unsafe environment. When Mo speaks, people listen. A hospital hold was placed on the baby, and DYFS was again involved. Again, it was determined it would be safe for the baby to be discharged to this mother. However, because of Mo’s due diligence during the discharge process reevaluations were done and home visits were arranged to provide reassessment of the situation.
The baby went with the mother and DYFS was to provide home support to the mother and baby. Later it was learned, the mother never followed up with her own care and DYFS took custody of the baby. Mo’s intuition about the safety of the baby was first and foremost in her mind.
Other examples of Mo’s DAISY attributes include - One of the new fathers was also celebrating his birthday as well as the birth of his new baby. Mo arranged for a cake to help the family party. She also went out of her way after work to pick up formula for a family that had a specific request.