Cecilia Medina-Esparza, RN

I would like to recognise an extraordinary nurse, Cecilia Medina-Esparza, whose vigilance, intuition, and unwavering advocacy protected a vulnerable patient from potential harm.

While caring for a patient who lacked the capacity to make safe healthcare decisions, Cecilia noticed something did not feel right. Several individuals had arrived, claiming to be the man's family, including a woman who identified as his wife. They were attempting to remove him from the hospital against medical advice to seek a second opinion. At the same time, the patient was scheduled for a procedure that could have been life-threatening without timely intervention.

Trusting her instincts, Cecilia recognised inconsistencies in the situation and did not ignore her concerns. She immediately escalated the situation, notifying the charge nurse and providers. Because of her decisive action and critical thinking, the situation was investigated promptly. The individuals were found not to be family and were asked to leave. The patient was made NINP (no information, no publication), an APS report was filed, and law enforcement was contacted to ensure the patient's safety and to hold those involved accountable.

Most importantly, due to her persistence, the patient's real son was located and came to the hospital to support and advocate for his father, who was being taken advantage of during a vulnerable time. Cecilia went above routine care, trusting her clinical judgment and intuition to protect a defenceless patient. Her actions very likely prevented a tragic outcome. Cecilia exemplifies the true meaning of patient advocacy. Her courage, diligence, and commitment to doing what is right, even when difficult, make her truly deserving of the DAISY Award. She is a shining example of the profound difference nurses make every day.