We received a young male, level one trauma, who we all worked hours on and honestly thought we could save. We were all very upset about the situation. We later found out he was 16 years old. Also in the car with him was his 14 year old sister, who was taken to Dell Children’s as an additional trauma stat. When the surgeons went to speak with family, the father was present (and we assumed the mother). Our charge nurse that day was Arlena. She contacted the PACU charge RN for permission to use a Preop isolation room for the family to view their child’s body, so they could say goodbye. She called a Chaplain in from home and tried her absolute best to clean him up and make his face and hands presentable. She then provided the family with all their needs that we could meet: warm blankets, water, etc. She let them cry, roll on the floor, be hysterical, etc. All the tragic devastating emotions that are expected and normal from losing a child.

Later, hours later, it was brought to Arlena’s attention that none of the females present were the mother. The mother was at Dell Children's with their daughter who was also in surgery for hours. The family didn’t want to tell her because she was already so worried, had another child on an OR table, and was by herself. When the news was broken, the mother wanted to come to DSMC and say goodbye to her boy. Arlena then called her OR admins, house supervisor, ICU charge nurse, etc. for help, advice, and permission. With permission, she went to the morgue with our PCTs, and got the PACU charge nurse’s permission again to use the Preop isolation room. She tried again to make him presentable and made sure mom was ok, while also falling apart with family. She stayed and ensured no chain of custody was ever broken, no evidence ruined, no lines, drains, or tubes removed or tampered with. She endured a very sensitive situation while she ensured proper chain of custody for the medical examiner. She took it all upon herself, and went above and beyond like no one or nothing I’ve seen in years. She had the basic humanity and compassion that all of us nurses should have! But hers is baseline. And she took her nursing and humanity to another level, so the family could have the best case scenario goodbye to their child. I am still moved and forever changed by her actions. Arlena is a true DAISY Nurse.