I would like to nominate Janine Valdez for the DAISY Award in recognition of her outstanding work, attention to detail, clinical expertise, and dedication to comprehensive patient care. I have had the privilege to work alongside her, caring for critically ill patients in the CVICU, and she has consistently demonstrated extraordinary clinical skill, compassion, and adept clinical intuition. Janine possesses many qualities that distinguish her from others, which make her a valuable asset to the healthcare team.
One case that particularly stands out involves a patient who was admitted to the CVICU following an anterior STEMI. This patient had been treated in the cath lab prior to the start of her shift and was placed on intravenous nitroglycerine infusion for ongoing angina. At the start of her shift, Janine recognized that despite the plan that had been set out previously during the day shift, the patient was not demonstrating clinical improvement as expected. She promptly obtained an EKG revealing dynamic ST elevations with ischemic changes concerning for ongoing myocardial infarction and notified the providers of the current clinical condition. Without having to ask, she had already obtained a repeat troponin as well as additional labs needed to make an urgent clinical decision. Thanks to her clinical intuition, she recognized that this patient was developing acute cardiogenic shock requiring activation of the cath lab for mechanical circulatory support. The patient proceeded to the cath lab, where she received an intra-aortic balloon pump, resulting in significant improvement in hemodynamics and overall clinical condition. Following return from the cath lab, the patient was started on CRRT for help with volume management. In just three hours, this patient went from only needing a nitroglycerin infusion to having an IABP and now CRRT. Throughout the rest of the night, Janine provided reassurance to the patient and her husband and ensured that she was comfortable, allowing the patient to feel comfortable and get some rest. Janine was vital in ensuring that the patient was stable and allowed for expedited care and stabilization of a critically sick patient. Prior to shift change, attempts were made to thank Janine for her exceptional care provided that night, but she refused any praise, stating that it was just part of the job. This is just one example of many interactions with Janine, and every interaction with her leaves a positive impact not only on the providers and healthcare team but also on the patients and their families.
Beyond her bedside manner, she is a strong advocate for patient safety and is always proactive in addressing potential issues before they arise or result in adverse patient outcomes. Her clinical judgment, swift action, and clear communication have directly impacted patient outcomes more times than I can count. In short, Janine Valdez embodies the spirit of the DAISY Award through her exemplary patient care. It is a privilege to collaborate with her, and I can't think of anyone more deserving of this recognition.