Every day, our neurology team comes in and does what many may see as routine work, running reports to identify potential stroke patients who presented overnight. While this process is part of our daily workflow, it takes a great nurse to look beyond “routine” and truly see the patient behind the chart.

On a Wednesday, Taylor began running reports and opened the chart of a patient diagnosed with a subarachnoid hemorrhage. She immediately noticed something concerning: the patient had been admitted to the oncology floor.

Recognizing that this did not align with the severity of the diagnosis, Taylor did not dismiss the finding or assume it had already been addressed. As she reviewed the chart more closely, she saw that imaging noted a subarachnoid hemorrhage with ventricular involvement, believed to be caused by a ruptured aneurysm.

Understanding that a ruptured aneurysm is a medical emergency requiring ICU-level care due to the high risk of re-rupture and vasospasms, Taylor immediately escalated her concerns. She contacted our neurologist, who reviewed the chart and shared her concern. The patient was promptly transferred to our ICU and subsequently to Sutter Sacramento for a higher level of care.

Had the patient remained on that floor, he could have suffered serious and devastating complications.

Her actions directly changed the course of this patient’s care and likely prevented a catastrophic outcome. Taylor exemplifies what the DAISY Award stands for: exceptional clinical judgment, the courage to speak up when something does not feel right, and unwavering patient advocacy.