A patient's wife described Amy as their angel in disguise. Her husband had a total shoulder surgery without blockers, a very painful procedure. Once on the floor, the husband was not doing well. The pain medication had upset his stomach ulcer and he started vomiting. When Amy came on duty, he was as pale as a sheet, in a lot of pain, and his blood pressure was sky high. Amy immediately gained their trust when she returned to their room not even six minutes later with clean linens the couple requested after the husband became sick.
Then Amy quickly began working to get the patient feeling better. She called the doctor to get a new pain prescription and then, when his blood pressure was too high and he was unable to urinate, Amy had an out-of-the-box idea. The wife was about to leave to take care of their beloved dog, who works with horses to keep them calm when Amy suggested that she bring the dog to the patient's room. Amy said that their dog might help to keep her husband calm, relieve some pain, and lower his blood pressure, and because the dog works to calm horses on the police department horse patrol, they could say he was a service dog and allow him entrance to the hospital.
Once the wife brought the dog to the room, he instinctively knew to go to the side of the bed where his owner's good arm rested. The husband pet the dog and his blood pressure began to drop, just as Amy suspected. Amy was constantly in and out of the room until the patient began feeling better. She was even able to get him to urinate so they didn't have to re-cath."I have never seen nursing staff work like she did," the wife said. She complemented Midland Memorial Hospital for giving its staff the autonomy to make those kinds of judgments and allow Amy to think outside the box like she did. The wife went on to explain that while her husband normally forgets a person's name a couple hours after he meets them, he tells everyone he knows that if they have to get this procedure done, they need to get it done at Midland Memorial and have Amy as their nurse.
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Amy is described by her peers as very compassionate and always striving to establish a positive relationship with her patients and their family. They say she has a big heart, not only for her patients but also for her co-workers. Because of Amy's compassionate and caring efforts, her patients experience a level of care that exemplifies the impact nurses have in creating an environment where patients and families feel at home. Amy goes above and beyond for the patients and families she cares for.
Note: This is Amy's 2nd DAISY Award!