The DAISY Foundation was established in 1999 by the family of J. Patrick Barnes, who died of complications of the auto-immune disease Idiopathic Thrombocytopenia Purpura (ITP) at the age of 33.
During Pat’s eight-week hospitalization, his family was amazed by the care and compassion his nurses provided to Pat and everyone in his family. So one of the goals they set in creating a Foundation in Pat’s memory was to recognize extraordinary nurses everywhere who make an enormous difference in the lives of so many people through the super-human work they do every day.
To learn more about the program and its growing list of partners, visit www.daisyfoundation.org.
What is The DAISY Award?
The DAISY Award is an international program that rewards and celebrates nurses’ extraordinary clinical skills and compassionate care every day. Kittitas Valley Healthcare is proud to be a DAISY Award Partner, recognizing one of our nurses with this special honor bi-annually. DAISY = Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem
Nominee
Tamara Lewis, RN, Medical/Surgical Unit
Reason for Nomination
Developing a trusting relationship with a patient that aided in identifying a severe wound infection that required a higher level of care.
Nominator
Beth Isbell, RN, House Supervisor, House Supervisor Department
Event
Tamara was taking care of a patient on Med/Surg, preparing her for discharge after the patient had been admitted four days prior. Through a comprehensive assessment performed by Tamara, she became aware of a severe wound infection in this patient and alerted the provider. This wound infection had gone unnoticed by Nursing as the patient was extremely modest. Tamara’s ability to convey trust and compassion to this patient allowed this patient to feel comfortable enough to be examined and share with Tamara the wound she had kept hidden and confide in her the pain she was experiencing. Tamara is an excellent nurse and took time with this patient to get to the source of some significant findings. The decision was made to transfer this patient to a higher level of care. Tamara’s nursing care and promptness in alerting the provider to her clinical assessment indeed aided in an optimal healthcare experience and recovery.