Tammy Bricker
November 2022
Tammy
Bricker
,
RN
Nursing Vascular Access Team
Penn State Health- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
Hershey
,
PA
United States
She declared, "I am going to tell you something good about today. We are going to place this PICC line that will get you one step closer to going home. And then we are going to throw you two a romantic dinner." Tammy spoke more words of encouragement telling us how we were going to turn that day into an anniversary to remember.
Dear Patient- and Family-Centered Care Advisory Council, I am about to tell you about a wonderful nurse on our Nursing Vascular Access Team (NVAT) who went above and beyond her responsibilities to make a tremendous difference in the life of one of our patients, Jane (an alias for the purpose of HIPPA). The Registered Nurse I am about to tell you about is named Tammy Bricker. I hope as I recount my experience with Tammy you can see how beautifully she fulfills every criterion listed for a DAISY Nurse.
The criterion which I list below: -Includes patients and families in the planning of their care -Does an excellent job educating patients and their families -Works well with the healthcare team to meet patient and family needs -Makes patients and their families feel comfortable -Establishes a special connection with patients and families through trust and emotional support -Interacts with patients, families, and staff in a professional and personable manner -Demonstrates excellent clinical evaluation skills -Consistently serves as a role model for the nurse profession -Displays empathy and demonstrates a caring attitude.
The holidays are a hard time for anyone to be in the hospital. That was especially true for my patient. When I walked into Jane's room that morning, Jane immediately made me aware that she was very anxious about being in the hospital and was hoping she could go home that day. Jane's day proceeded to get more difficult as the morning went on. At 8:00 that morning we discovered that Jane was going to need a new IV as the one she had was no longer working. This produced more anxiety as Jane told me that people normally have a hard time putting IVs into her arms. After reassuring her, I left Jane's room to go see my other patients. When I returned to Jane's room about an hour later it was to find the doctor with Jane telling her she would not be able to leave that day and probably not for a few more days. Jane had a bloodstream infection that was going to need IV antibiotics for several weeks. Because of the infection, Jane needed a specialized IV called a PICC line through which she could get antibiotics long-term. Crying, Jane told the doctor that she understood the reasoning but that she really wanted to be discharged from the hospital. Jane explained that her husband, who was also in the room with us, had come in to visit her this morning. It wasn't until he came in with a card that Jane remembered that it was their anniversary. Jane felt awful that she had forgotten. While listening to Jane express her sorrow and frustration, Tammy Bricker one of the NVAT nurses arrived right outside the room. Tammy was waiting to place the PICC line Jane needed for her IV antibiotics.
As the doctor left, I told Jane I was going to help her into her bed so the PICC could be placed. Jane got out of her bed and went to greet her husband across the room. Jane and her husband both started to cry. Feeling at a loss for what to do for two individuals so obviously hurting, I looked away from the scene of husband and wife and up to Tammy. And in that moment Tammy saved the day. As Tammy entered the room she brought joy and hope with her. She declared, "I am going to tell you something good about today. We are going to place this PICC line that will get you one step closer to going home. And then we are going to throw you two a romantic dinner." Tammy spoke more words of encouragement telling us how we were going to turn that day into an anniversary to remember.
As I was leaving the room I heard Tammy start to educate Jane on the PICC line; what it was for; risks with a PICC line and I am sure answering any questions Jane may have had. I can say this with certainty because I have worked with Tammy many times and she is always kind, gentle, and generous. Even though our NVAT team has been short-staffed throughout the hospital I never see Tammy complain. She is always happy to share her knowledge of IVs whether it is about placing them or looking for signs of IV complications.
After Tammy was done placing the PICC line, she found me in the hallway and explained her plan for the romantic anniversary date. Tammy had reached out to one of her coworkers coming into work at 11 am that day. The coworker was going to stop at the store and pick up anniversary cards and a few other special things. My job was to talk to the kitchen about getting a dinner sent up for Jane's husband so they could dine together. Tammy told me her coworker would drop off all the supplies at the front desk of my unit so I could deliver them. With this plan in place, I thanked God, not for the first time that day, for sending Tammy at exactly the right time.
But Tammy was not done yet. Around lunchtime, Tammy was back with arms full of surprises. Not only had she and her coworker gotten cards for Jane and her husband; but they also had sparkling wine and glasses, battery-operated candles, appetizers, cake, and balloons. Tammy recruited the nurses and aides working down my hall that day and we took the bounty to Jane and her husband. While we presented the gifts, we sang Happy Anniversary (to the tune of Happy Birthday). This time there were happy tears. Because of Tammy, the tone of the day was completely different. Jane and her husband were able to enjoy a special lunch, a relaxing afternoon, and dinner together for their anniversary. Jane could not get over how much was done for her. I heard thank you from Jane and her husband more times than I could possibly count. As her primary nurse, I heard all the thanks for what was truly Tammy's doing.
In case that was not enough to convince you all that Tammy is a true DAISY Nurse let me confide in you one more thing. That afternoon as Jane and her husband sat watching TV, thanking me for the hundredth time, Jane told me, "If it wasn't for you guys I would have signed myself out of the hospital AMA today." Jane explained that she understood why it was medically important for her to stay in the hospital but that morning she could not conceive how she was going to make it one more day in the hospital. If Jane had left AMA (against medical advice) that day her outcome could have changed drastically. With a blood infection like Jane's if a person does not get the proper antibiotic treatment it can kill you. When I thanked Tammy for what she had done that day Tammy told me, "I am just glad I was able to do it. If I can brighten someone's day while I am here working I am grateful to be able to do so." What Tammy does not realize is that she did more than just lift the spirits of a patient and family member that day. Tammy helped keep Jane in the hospital where we could treat her infection. Tammy helped to keep Jane alive.
The criterion which I list below: -Includes patients and families in the planning of their care -Does an excellent job educating patients and their families -Works well with the healthcare team to meet patient and family needs -Makes patients and their families feel comfortable -Establishes a special connection with patients and families through trust and emotional support -Interacts with patients, families, and staff in a professional and personable manner -Demonstrates excellent clinical evaluation skills -Consistently serves as a role model for the nurse profession -Displays empathy and demonstrates a caring attitude.
The holidays are a hard time for anyone to be in the hospital. That was especially true for my patient. When I walked into Jane's room that morning, Jane immediately made me aware that she was very anxious about being in the hospital and was hoping she could go home that day. Jane's day proceeded to get more difficult as the morning went on. At 8:00 that morning we discovered that Jane was going to need a new IV as the one she had was no longer working. This produced more anxiety as Jane told me that people normally have a hard time putting IVs into her arms. After reassuring her, I left Jane's room to go see my other patients. When I returned to Jane's room about an hour later it was to find the doctor with Jane telling her she would not be able to leave that day and probably not for a few more days. Jane had a bloodstream infection that was going to need IV antibiotics for several weeks. Because of the infection, Jane needed a specialized IV called a PICC line through which she could get antibiotics long-term. Crying, Jane told the doctor that she understood the reasoning but that she really wanted to be discharged from the hospital. Jane explained that her husband, who was also in the room with us, had come in to visit her this morning. It wasn't until he came in with a card that Jane remembered that it was their anniversary. Jane felt awful that she had forgotten. While listening to Jane express her sorrow and frustration, Tammy Bricker one of the NVAT nurses arrived right outside the room. Tammy was waiting to place the PICC line Jane needed for her IV antibiotics.
As the doctor left, I told Jane I was going to help her into her bed so the PICC could be placed. Jane got out of her bed and went to greet her husband across the room. Jane and her husband both started to cry. Feeling at a loss for what to do for two individuals so obviously hurting, I looked away from the scene of husband and wife and up to Tammy. And in that moment Tammy saved the day. As Tammy entered the room she brought joy and hope with her. She declared, "I am going to tell you something good about today. We are going to place this PICC line that will get you one step closer to going home. And then we are going to throw you two a romantic dinner." Tammy spoke more words of encouragement telling us how we were going to turn that day into an anniversary to remember.
As I was leaving the room I heard Tammy start to educate Jane on the PICC line; what it was for; risks with a PICC line and I am sure answering any questions Jane may have had. I can say this with certainty because I have worked with Tammy many times and she is always kind, gentle, and generous. Even though our NVAT team has been short-staffed throughout the hospital I never see Tammy complain. She is always happy to share her knowledge of IVs whether it is about placing them or looking for signs of IV complications.
After Tammy was done placing the PICC line, she found me in the hallway and explained her plan for the romantic anniversary date. Tammy had reached out to one of her coworkers coming into work at 11 am that day. The coworker was going to stop at the store and pick up anniversary cards and a few other special things. My job was to talk to the kitchen about getting a dinner sent up for Jane's husband so they could dine together. Tammy told me her coworker would drop off all the supplies at the front desk of my unit so I could deliver them. With this plan in place, I thanked God, not for the first time that day, for sending Tammy at exactly the right time.
But Tammy was not done yet. Around lunchtime, Tammy was back with arms full of surprises. Not only had she and her coworker gotten cards for Jane and her husband; but they also had sparkling wine and glasses, battery-operated candles, appetizers, cake, and balloons. Tammy recruited the nurses and aides working down my hall that day and we took the bounty to Jane and her husband. While we presented the gifts, we sang Happy Anniversary (to the tune of Happy Birthday). This time there were happy tears. Because of Tammy, the tone of the day was completely different. Jane and her husband were able to enjoy a special lunch, a relaxing afternoon, and dinner together for their anniversary. Jane could not get over how much was done for her. I heard thank you from Jane and her husband more times than I could possibly count. As her primary nurse, I heard all the thanks for what was truly Tammy's doing.
In case that was not enough to convince you all that Tammy is a true DAISY Nurse let me confide in you one more thing. That afternoon as Jane and her husband sat watching TV, thanking me for the hundredth time, Jane told me, "If it wasn't for you guys I would have signed myself out of the hospital AMA today." Jane explained that she understood why it was medically important for her to stay in the hospital but that morning she could not conceive how she was going to make it one more day in the hospital. If Jane had left AMA (against medical advice) that day her outcome could have changed drastically. With a blood infection like Jane's if a person does not get the proper antibiotic treatment it can kill you. When I thanked Tammy for what she had done that day Tammy told me, "I am just glad I was able to do it. If I can brighten someone's day while I am here working I am grateful to be able to do so." What Tammy does not realize is that she did more than just lift the spirits of a patient and family member that day. Tammy helped keep Jane in the hospital where we could treat her infection. Tammy helped to keep Jane alive.