Danielle Shaw
October 2018
Danielle
Shaw
,
RN
2 Reid
FirstHealth of the Carolinas
Pinehurst
,
NC
United States

 

 

 

Danielle recently cared for an elderly man who had been hospitalized for over a month. The patient's birthday was approaching, and he had hoped to go home. Unfortunately, the doctor advised the family that the patient would not be able to go home. The patient's wife was unable to provide the needed care, and the patient would need to be placed in a skilled facility. The patient's children came from New York to visit and assist in the movement. The patient had become depressed and talked repeatedly with the nurses about how much he had missed his dog over the last month. Danielle researched our hospital policy on allowing pet visitations. She got the appropriate permissions and asked the wife to provide the necessary documents to clear the animal to visit. On the patient's birthday, he was still hospitalized but received the best gift ever. The patient celebrated his birthday with family and his beloved dog! His happiness spread through the unit and staff talked about it for days. Because Danielle took the extra moment to get to know her patient, she was able to meet one of his most basic but most important needs. She provided love!