DeeAnn King, RN was working in PACU and received a surgical patient who just had eye surgery. The patient recovered very well, and during DeeAnn's discharge teaching, the patient disclosed that he might have difficulty following some of the instructions due to a situation at home. He told DeeAnn that he normally lives alone, but he recently had some young adults show up at his door and ask if he could help them out for a few days with a place to stay. He is an elderly gentleman and said these were the children of an acquaintance, and he felt like he should try to help them out. At this point, the patient said these two young adults have been staying with him for over 2 months, frequently ask him for money, and never leave his home. He disclosed he doesn't feel safe at home, and he is worried that they will take his medication and not help him with his recovery plan.
DeeAnn immediately notified our Anesthesiologist and began to work on a plan to help this elderly patient with this issue. DeeAnn and our Anesthesiologist worked diligently to inform his primary care physician of this home situation so that Social Work could be involved, and so that the PCP would be able to follow up during his post-surgical checkup. DeeAnn's actions helped this patient feel better about their living situation while also ensuring the care needed for recovery would be followed.
DeeAnn is a wonderful, caring, intelligent, compassionate nurse who exemplifies what the spirit of The DAISY Award means. DeeAnn's clinical thought process is only overshadowed by her enormous heart. I am so thankful to work with her on a daily basis. DeeAnn would never ask for any recognition for her interactions with this patient or any other, but I am confident that this example is just one of many that highlights her tremendous dedication to her profession and her patients.