In our position as Triage Nurses at MGH Revere Healthcare, we speak to a variety of patients with a variety of needs. One day, Brittany spoke to a new mother 2 months post-partum. The patient was Spanish speaking only and, with an MGH Spanish Interpreter, made statements of increased anxiety and depression. The patient was fearful that she may "snap' and harm her 2-month-old infant. She was tearful and her fear could be heard in her voice. No matter what your language is, that sound is unmistakable.

The patient had been seen the prior day for anxiety and depression in the clinic but strongly denied suicidal or homicidal ideation at that time. The patient was alone in her home with her infant.

Brittany stayed on the phone with the patient, somehow through the interpreter conveyed compassion, empathy, and her concerns about the situation. Ultimately, Brittany recommended to the patient that she get an emergency psychiatric evaluation at a local Emergency Department. The patient was resistant.

Brittany worked with the patient to contact the patient’s boyfriend and through conversation, the patient was eventually amenable to the idea of being taken to the ED by the boyfriend. Brittany stayed on the call until the patient’s boyfriend arrived home. The boyfriend promised to stay with the patient and their baby and transport the patient to the ED. Brittany was compassionate and she was empathetic, which are important characteristics for any nurse. But Brittany demonstrated more than that, she committed to the situation, applied her triage skills, and calmly and professionally helped this patient get the care she needed on maybe the worst day of the patient’s life. I have no doubt Brittany saved two lives during that interaction and that is why she is a DAISY Nurse.