Nurse Ashley Navarro informed me one morning that our mutual patient with psychotic illness had been inappropriate with her, including with physical contact. She declined to transfer him to another provider, given the rapport developed and recognition of his mental illness. Still, we agreed she would not meet with him alone and that we would institute sexual precautions.

Over the course of the morning the patient became agitated despite doses of as needed medication which she recognized he required. In the late morning, he became violent. He attacked a patient, overturning a table, which also injured that same patient he attacked with his fists. He then struck another patient who intervened. Ashley placed herself in harm’s way to protect these patients by engaging with the attacker. While she herself was struck in the arm, she remained calm and was able to guide the violent patient to the seclusion area of the behavioral health unit. 

As a result, the violent patient was isolated from other patients and staff, all of whom most certainly would have been injured had Ashley not remained calm, thought quickly, risked her own safety for others, and found means by which to convince the violent patient to enter an area of the unit where he could be secured. This violent patient’s agitation was severe in that he nearly broke two doors, which were actively held back by hospital security, and weaponized a tray table in repeated efforts to break through a bay window into the staff work area. This behavior continued even after the police arrived. 

By nominating Nurse Navarro for The DAISY Award, I wish to express my gratitude and that of all of our staff and patients for her selfless care of a distressed patient and the protection it afforded us all.