Kari Gaston
May 2025
Kari
Gaston
,
DNP, CCRN, CEN
Emergency room
Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center
Fontana
,
CA
United States
Kari Gatson is more than a leader- she is an advocate, a mentor, and a steadfast protector of our ER team. Her unwavering dedication to staff safety, continuous improvement, and professional excellence makes her more than deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award.
It is with great admiration and gratitude that I nominate Kari Gatson, DNP. RN, CCRN, CEN, Assistant Clinical Director of the Department of Emergency Medicine, for the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Kari’s dedication to staff safety and workplace excellence has made a profound impact on our emergency department, and her leadership truly exemplifies the spirit of this prestigious recognition.
As violence in emergency rooms continues to rise nationwide, Kari has made it her personal mission to protect our ER staff. Since implementing her strategic safety initiatives, we have witnessed a significant reduction in staff injuries and workplace incidents. One of Kari’s most impactful contributions began in 2021 when she collaborated with the police department to establish a process for handling patients arriving under a 5150 hold with medical complaints. This ongoing effort has streamlined protocols, ensuring both patient and staff safety.
Kari also introduced and championed the Code Gray system, an essential safety measure activated when a patient arrives in restraints or exhibits violent behavior. Under Kari’s leadership, Code Gray calls are now made to ensure that security and additional staff are present to safely transport patients to their designated beds. This protocol, initially implemented in the emergency department, has since been adopted hospital-wide, leading to a dramatic decrease in staff injuries and enhancing overall workplace safety. I myself was involved in an incident where I was grabbed by the neck, and the patient was screaming just inches from my face. It was the scariest thing I've ever experienced. I wanted to press charges, but the police had not come back to take my report. Kari made it a mission to ensure they returned and took my report.
Beyond her direct efforts in safety, Kari has been instrumental in the success of our Unit-Based Team (UBT). In 2022, she played a pivotal role in achieving Level 5 UBT status, the highest designation, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and quality improvement. Additionally, Kari actively participated in the Inspire fair, where she and her team earned awards for workplace safety and team collaboration, further testament to her commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and security.
Recognizing the need for continued education and preparedness, Kari has also worked closely with security to implement Code Silver drills. These drills are designed to enhance staff knowledge and readiness in the event of an active threat, ensuring that our emergency department remains a safe environment for both healthcare providers and patients. Kari plans to implement code silver drills in the emergency room in the months to come, assuring all staff are highly trained if such an incident should ever occur.
Kari Gatson is more than a leader- she is an advocate, a mentor, and a steadfast protector of our ER team. Her unwavering dedication to staff safety, continuous improvement, and professional excellence makes her more than deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Through her hard work, innovative strategies, and compassionate leadership, Kari has not only improved our emergency department but has also set a standard of care and safety that will benefit our hospital for years to come.
We are incredibly grateful for Kari’s dedication and proud to recognize her for her outstanding contributions to our team. She truly embodies the essence of a DAISY Nurse Leader, and I wholeheartedly endorse her for this prestigious honor.
As violence in emergency rooms continues to rise nationwide, Kari has made it her personal mission to protect our ER staff. Since implementing her strategic safety initiatives, we have witnessed a significant reduction in staff injuries and workplace incidents. One of Kari’s most impactful contributions began in 2021 when she collaborated with the police department to establish a process for handling patients arriving under a 5150 hold with medical complaints. This ongoing effort has streamlined protocols, ensuring both patient and staff safety.
Kari also introduced and championed the Code Gray system, an essential safety measure activated when a patient arrives in restraints or exhibits violent behavior. Under Kari’s leadership, Code Gray calls are now made to ensure that security and additional staff are present to safely transport patients to their designated beds. This protocol, initially implemented in the emergency department, has since been adopted hospital-wide, leading to a dramatic decrease in staff injuries and enhancing overall workplace safety. I myself was involved in an incident where I was grabbed by the neck, and the patient was screaming just inches from my face. It was the scariest thing I've ever experienced. I wanted to press charges, but the police had not come back to take my report. Kari made it a mission to ensure they returned and took my report.
Beyond her direct efforts in safety, Kari has been instrumental in the success of our Unit-Based Team (UBT). In 2022, she played a pivotal role in achieving Level 5 UBT status, the highest designation, demonstrating exceptional teamwork and quality improvement. Additionally, Kari actively participated in the Inspire fair, where she and her team earned awards for workplace safety and team collaboration, further testament to her commitment to fostering a culture of excellence and security.
Recognizing the need for continued education and preparedness, Kari has also worked closely with security to implement Code Silver drills. These drills are designed to enhance staff knowledge and readiness in the event of an active threat, ensuring that our emergency department remains a safe environment for both healthcare providers and patients. Kari plans to implement code silver drills in the emergency room in the months to come, assuring all staff are highly trained if such an incident should ever occur.
Kari Gatson is more than a leader- she is an advocate, a mentor, and a steadfast protector of our ER team. Her unwavering dedication to staff safety, continuous improvement, and professional excellence makes her more than deserving of the DAISY Nurse Leader Award. Through her hard work, innovative strategies, and compassionate leadership, Kari has not only improved our emergency department but has also set a standard of care and safety that will benefit our hospital for years to come.
We are incredibly grateful for Kari’s dedication and proud to recognize her for her outstanding contributions to our team. She truly embodies the essence of a DAISY Nurse Leader, and I wholeheartedly endorse her for this prestigious honor.