September 2009
Kristen
Mancuso
,
RN, BSN, CPN
Pediatric & Thoracic/Cardiac Surgery
UPMC Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States

 

 

 

When Danielle and Dagian came to our floor, we were all a little nervous. How do you care for infant conjoined twins? Do you treat them as one patient? How do you chart? Taking care of "the girls" was a team effort for our floor. One nurse really stepped up to manage their care. She was instrumental in keeping the girls healthy and growing so that their separation would be a success.

She knew their care inside and out. She communicated with the team taking care of them extremely well. She took care of them almost every shift that she worked. Kristen often called into work to check on the girls on her off days. Her dedication to the twins was obvious to everyone on the floor.

She not only cared for the girls, she embraced the whole family. Their single mother had a hard time entertaining their three year old sister (Dayloni) during the twin's hospital stay. She took Dayloni to the zoo, Chuck E. Cheese and Build a Bear on various occasions. She even took Dayloni out on the day the twins were separated, so that their mother could be at the hospital.

She went above and beyond the scope of her practice to provide excellent care to the twins and their family. She was recognized for her role in their care in an interview on "Good Morning America."

She is a vibrant and pleasant individual who brings a smile to all who come in contact with her. She no doubt learned a lot from her mother who is a long time CHP nurse. 6B proudly nominates Kristen Mancuso for The Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses!