Olympic Medical Center registered nurse JoDean Barrett was recently honored with a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
The award, created by the DAISY Foundation, recognizes the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.
Barrett was recognized for her compassionate, respectful and expert care for patients in the Intensive Care Unit (ICU), according to OMC representatives.
Barrett’s nomination included the following story, read during the award presentation:
“As an education department registered nurse, I visited the ICU to observe the workflow on the unit.
JoDean was caring for a critically ill patient. The patient was barely responsive and did not open her eyes. JoDean not only took great care of this patient by providing great care with handwashing, checking the IV medications and IV sites, etc., but she demonstrated compassionate and respectful CARING as I watched and listened to her speaking to the patient.
JoDean did not rush but took the time to describe everything as she went from one task to another so that the patient could anticipate actions such as being touched, repositioned, having her IV sites checked, and knowing when her nurse was in the room and when she was leaving the room.
I don’t know how much this patient ‘heard’ but I have always believed that hearing is the last to go. Whether the patient heard any of this or not, JoDean demonstrated what nursing has always meant to me, which is more than providing nursing skills, but being present and respectful of the patient as a person.”
Olympic Medical nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him as an “Extraordinary Nurse.”
The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a meaningful, hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.” A cross-functional committee of healthcare workers review the nominations and select the final nominee.
Go to olympicmedical.org/thank-a-nurse for more information or to nominate an extraordinary Olympic Medical Center nurse.
The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. Barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of an auto-immune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem). The care Barnes and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. Learn more at DAISYfoundation.org.
