In 2015 DAISY partnered with the National Patient Safety Foundation (NPSF) to recognize and celebrate nurses for their personal commitment to patient safety in the delivery of compassionate care to patients and families. In 2017, NPSF merged with the Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI) and other than a name change our shared goal of raising awareness of the significant contributions by nurses with respect to patient and workforce safety continued.
We are recently wrapped up our 8th application cycle for The DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses and Nurse Led Teams in Patient Safety, presented in collaboration with IHI and sponsored by Hill-Rom.
View Past Honorees:
2015
Individual:
Michael Blomquist, RN, CCRN, a critical care nurse at the University of Kansas Hospital, was chosen to receive the individual award in recognition of his professionalism and patient-centered approach. The Emory University Hospital Serious Communicable Disease Unit (SCDU) nursing and interdisciplinary team received the team award for their care of critically ill Ebola patients.
Mr. Blomquist, unit coordinator in the medical intensive care unit, was also a member of the hospital's first rapid response team. He developed the Rapid Response Team Boot Camp, a course to help new members understand their roles, standards of care, and resources available.
"Impeccable communication is a key component of patient safety, and Michael has mastered patient-centered communication with his team as well as with patients and their families," said Tammy Peterman, RN, MS, executive vice president, chief operating officer, and chief nursing officer at University of Kansas Hospital. "His commitment, passion, and expertise make him most deserving of this award."
Michael Blomquist receives his award, pictured with (L to R), Melissa Fitzpatrick from Hill-Rom, DAISY Co-founder Bonnie Barnes and DAISY's Executive Director Cynthia Sweeney.
2015
Team:
The Emory University Hospital SCDU nursing and interdisciplinary team was honored for risky and complicated work of caring for four patients who were critically ill with Ebola virus disease (EVD). Members of the team include critical care and medical surgical nurses, along with a host of interdisciplinary colleagues. In addition to the direct care they provided, the team compiled their safety protocols and posted them on a public website. Nearly 20,000 providers have downloaded the protocols for their use.
"Team Ebola set the standard in safety for all of Emory Healthcare," said Susan Grant, MS, RN, FAAN, chief nurse executive and chief patient services officer, Emory Healthcare. "Moreover, they made a difference for health care workers caring for Ebola patients across the world."
In a written statement of support for the team's nomination, Dr. Ian Crozier, one of the EVD patients treated at Emory, wrote, "I owe my life to the team at Emory, and the world has benefited from their bravery and innovative contributions to the knowledge of Ebola care. I cannot think of another team more deserving of this prestigious award."
2016
Team Ebola
2016
Individual:
Rachel Whittaker, BSN, RN, CPN, of Children's Hospital Colorado in Aurora, was the recipient of the individual award, and was chosen for her leadership, compassion, and practice of patient-and family-centered care, particularly during end-of-life decisions.
Rachel Whittaker
2016
Team:
The Clinical Informatics Council of the University of New Mexico Hospitals in Albuquerque, received the team award for their efforts to address safety issues including an alert designed to prevent complications from ventilator use, a Pediatric Early Warning Score to predict a deteriorating patient, and a streamlined method for documenting wounds. Sheena Ferguson, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, chief nursing officer, noted this as a "huge improvement" in patient safety, because it allows multiple disciplines to document wounds in the same place and with consistent terminology.
2017
The Clinical Informatics Council Team
2017
Individual:
Peggy Kattenberg, BSN, RN, CMSRN, of Penrose-St. Francis Health Services, the recipient of the individual award, was chosen for an initiative she led concerning the risks associated with nurse interruptions during medication administration.
"Peggy designed a study in which she discovered the astounding number of phone calls nurses receive during specific times when medications are administered on the floor. Her goal was to find a way to decrease the amount of distraction nurses incur during medication administration," said Cynthia Latney, MSN, BSN, chief nursing officer at Penrose-St. Francis. "The study ultimately led to practices that now prohibit nurses from being interrupted when they are in the medication room."
Peggy Kattenberg receives her award! Pictured (L to R) Carlos Urrea Vice President Medical Affairs at Hill-Rom, DAISY Co-founder Tena Barnes Carraher and Patricia McGaffigan Vice President, Safety Programs at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
2017
Team:
The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at Ronald Regan UCLA Medical Center received the team award for Team Kalynn, a patient-centered effort to optimize the safety and quality provided to a patient who spent 11 months in the MICU waiting for a lung transplant. The MICU team coordinated staffing and the care planning required to keep the patient safe as well as care for her emotional and social needs over an extended period of time.
"This effort assured both safe handoffs at shift changes and continuity of care, which resulted in the patient's comfort and kept her safe from complications," said Karen A. Grimly, PhD, MBA, RN, FACHE, chief nurse executive, UCLA Health.
2018
Team Kalynn
2018
Individual:
Erin Harlow-Parker, MS, APRN, PMSCNS-BC, of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta, received the individual award. The team award went to the Surgical Care Unit at Children's National Health System in Washington, DC.
Harlow-Parker is an advanced practice nurse specializing in behavioral health in the pediatric population. She has led or contributed to numerous initiatives to improve the care of young patients in the emergency department, particularly those in need of timely placement of inpatient psychiatric treatment. She has also collaborated with Georgia state officials to advocate on behalf of children with behavioral and developmental disorders, a population that is especially hard to place in treatment because of a lack of appropriate facilities.
"Children with psychiatric disorders are at serious risk of harm, and they and their families often experience long waits in emergency departments while seeking appropriate placement. Erin has worked tirelessly to improve patient safety and quality of care for this at-risk population, not only in our hospitals, but across the state of Georgia," said Linda Cole, RN, MBA, FACHE, Senior Vice-President of Operations and Chief Nursing Officer at Children's Healthcare of Atlanta.
Erin Harlow Parker receives her award! Pictured (L to R) DAISY Co-founders Mark and Bonnie Barnes, Patricia McGaffigan Vice President, Safety Programs at the Institute for Healthcare Improvement and Carlos Urrea Vice President Medical Affairs at Hill-Rom
2018
Team:
The Surgical Care Unit (SCU) at Children's National Health System is part of the organization's Pediatric
Level I Trauma Center. In 2016, the team cared for a severely burned and traumatized teenaged patient. Rehabilitation began right away, but areas for physical and occupational therapy on the unit were mainly public spaces. The patient's stress, pain levels, and concern about her physical appearance often led her to refuse crucial therapy outside of her room.
This case influenced the SCU team to develop a better solution for young patients in need of rehabilitation, especially burn patients. With the help of local foundations, the team raised $50,000 for a special dedicated gym space that features bright lighting, slip-resistant flooring, and other features to ensure patient-focused goals can be achieved in a safe and more private environment. As an example of impact, the SCU has outperformed national benchmarks for patient falls with injury over the past two years. Additionally, the patient who sparked this effort is now an active and thriving high schooler.
2019
The Surgical Care Unit Team with DAISY, Hill-Rom and IHI Representatives.
2019
Individual:
Jobic Ray Butao, BSN, RN, CCRN, received the individual award. The team award went to the Wound Ostomy Nursing Team at University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics.
Individual award recipient, Jobic Ray Butao, is a critical care nurse in the Intensive Care Unit at West Kendall Baptist Hospital in Miami. He has worked with his organization's executives to initiate nurse sensitive indicator outcome-specific leadership rounds in the unit and has led efforts to reduce central-line associated bloodstream infections (CLABSI) and catheter-associated urinary tract infections (CAUTI). The unit had no cases of CLABSI over an 11-month period and only one case of CAUTI. The practices put in place through Butao's efforts are being implemented in other units of the hospital.
"Jobic is a dynamic peer leader, a skilled clinician, and a researcher," said Sandra McLean, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, West Kendall Baptist Hospital. "He is also patient, kind, and compassionate with his patients and their families — truly the picture of an extraordinary caregiver."
Jobic Ray Butao
2019
Team:
Similarly, the wound ostomy nurses at the University of Iowa Hospitals & Clinics (UIHC) were recognized for their technical skill and knowledge as well as their leadership in promoting interprofessional teamwork and their compassionate care of patients who find themselves in wholly unexpected circumstances.
The eight-member team of specialists assesses and cares for patients with all manner of wounds — from pressure ulcers to ostomy wounds. They have kept the organization below national benchmarks for pressure ulcers, in part with a program of quarterly skin surveys of all adult and pediatric patients. They also established an interprofessional committee to address hospital-acquired pressure injuries and worked with information technology teams to develop an innovative, tablet-based application to enhance processing of skin survey data.
"We are so proud of our wound ostomy nursing team," said Cindy Dawson, MSN, RN, CORLN, Chief Nurse Executive, UIHC. "They demonstrate excellent clinical care every day through their interprofessional teamwork, use of evidence-based care, and outstanding quality improvement work. This award truly highlights the incredible work they do every single day for patients, families, and staff."
2020
Wound Ostomy Nursing Team
2020
Individual:
Shelly Brown, MSN, RN, SANE-A, Clinical Nurse V, formerly at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) Medical Center, earned the individual award. The Medical Intensive Care Unit (MICU) at South Texas Veterans Health Care System has been honored with the team award.
Shelly Brown, the individual award recipient, practiced forensic nursing at VCU Medical Center. Forensic nurses are advanced practice nurses with special expertise in caring for patients who have been victims of violence. Having cared for victims of human trafficking, Brown has become an advocate and educator on the topic, increasing awareness among health care administrators, government leaders, law enforcement, first responders, and health care professionals through lectures, seminars, and other initiatives.
Brown is also certified as a sexual assault nurse examiner (SANE). She is being honored in part for her care of a patient who had been abducted, drugged, and transported across multiple state lines. In addition to providing immediate care and involving social services and law enforcement, Brown arranged for ongoing care once the woman returned to her home and family.
Shelly Brown
2020
Team:
The MICU team at South Texas Veterans Health Care System was honored for instituting a series of initiatives that have virtually eliminated central-line-associated bloodstream infections, catheter-associated urinary tract infections, ventilator-associated events (such as pneumonia), and falls over the past year. Following high-reliability principles, the team began conducting twice-daily huddles, enlisting hand hygiene “sheriffs,” and using evidence-based care bundles for infection prevention. Initially recognized for compassionate care of a veteran who was their patient for more than two years, the team — 27 registered nurses and 5 nursing assistants — has increased situational awareness – the ability to perceive and comprehend a patient’s status and project the course of action – from 62 percent to 98 percent, resulting in safer care for patients and better communication among staff.
2021
MICU Team
2021
Individual:
Christa Bedford Mu, MSN, RN, CNS, CCRN, C-ELBW, receives the individual award. Co-recipients of the team award include the ICU Nursing Team at Swedish Edmonds hospital and the Faith Community Nurses Team at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital.
Individual award recipient, Christa Bedford-Mu is a clinical nurse specialist in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) at UC Davis Children’s Hospital in Sacramento, California. She was honored for her clinical improvement achievements and unwavering commitment to supporting and educating the families of infant patients. A trained wound treatment associate, Ms. Bedford-Mu has collaborated with several surgical units across UC Davis Children’s Hospital to spread standardized approaches to multiple types of complex wounds and skin integrity issues. Her work, including implementation of a neonatal checklist, has contributed to significant reductions in postoperative complications, faster healing, and decreased risk of infection, which have led to reductions in lengths of stay and use of health care services. In addition, she has supported patient families with important post-discharge resources and the launch of a telehealth project to improve the NICU-to-home transition.
2021
Team:
Co-recipient of the team award (top left photo), the ICU Nursing Team at Swedish Edmonds, located in Edmonds, Washington, volunteered to be their hospital’s pandemic unit. Nurses in the 13- bed ICU modified their clinical practice to meet the needs of critical COVID-19 patients and their families. They sought out and tested improvement efforts that were then instituted throughout the Swedish system (the hospital system has five campuses located in the Puget Sound area), including process innovations that improved workforce safety and quality of care initiatives that lowered intubation rates, improved patient handoffs, and increased mobility. Through 2019 and 2020, the team experienced zero harmful falls and no instances of catheter-associated urinary tract infections. In addition, in the last seven years, the ICU team has recorded only one case of a central-line associated bloodstream infection.
2021
Team:
Also receiving the team award (lower left photo), the Faith Community Nurses Team at Emory Saint Joseph’s Hospital, located in Atlanta, Georgia, were honored for its work with patients who have complex, chronic conditions. Through its Nurse Navigator program, the team helps patients develop and hone self-management skills that improve their health outcomes and quality of life. They assist in the coordination of patient care, interacting with providers and resources inside and outside the walls of their institution. They also focus upstream, educating high-risk communities about chronic disease prevention, including diabetes. The team’s clinical and community-level efforts have contributed to a 77 percent reduction in 30-day hospital readmissions, 51 percent reduction in inpatient hospital admissions, and 28 percent reduction in length of stay when admitted to the hospital. Read more about their program here.
2022
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2022:
The ICU Team at Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital received the team award. The individual award went to Janice Campbell, MSN, RN, LCCE, IBCLC, at Mount Sinai South Nassau. Mallory Cook, BSN, RN, from Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, received an honorable mention. To view full list of 2022 nominees and our review panel, click here.
From left to right:
Cynthia Barginere, DNP, RN, FACHE Chief Operating Officer, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI), Honorable Mention Recipient Mallory Cook, BSN, RN, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services, Carlos A. Urrea, MD, MPH Vice President Medical Affairs, Hill-Rom, Individual Award: Janice Campbell, MSN, RN, LCCE, IBCLC, Mount Sinai South Nassau, Peggy Clark RN, BSN, MBA, CPHQ, CPHRM, NEA-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, Team Representative from the ICU Team at Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital and Patricia McGaffigan, RN, MS, CPPS, Vice President, Safety Programs, President Certification Board for Professionals in Patient Safety, Institute for Healthcare Improvement (IHI).
Team Award: Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital ICU Team
The ICU Team at Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital (SSRRH), located in Santa Rosa, California, became experts in COVID-19 care very quickly, as SSRRH was one of the first hospitals in California to receive a COVID-19 patient. The team relentlessly questioned and continuously improved processes to ensure that they, their colleagues, and patients and families remained both safe and connected during such isolating times.
The ICU team collaborated with BioEthics, Infection Prevention, Supply Chain, Pharmacy, and Respiratory Therapy to develop what would become the standard of care for COVID-19 patients. The team’s eagerness to learn and engage to keep patients and staff safe resulted in numerous contributions to policy and practice development. Throughout the pandemic, none of the ICU staff contracted COVID-19 at work or experienced a high-risk exposure. Additionally, SSRRH’s hospitalized COVID-19 survival rate of 89 percent aligns with top tier national performance.
“These results were not by chance,” said Peggy Clark, Chief Nurse Executive, Sutter Santa Rosa Regional Hospital. “The team’s diligence with regard to patient and staff safety, and the implementation of novel and revolutionary ideas, led to these excellent outcomes for our entire community.”
Individual Award: Janice Campbell, MSN, RN, LCCE, IBCLC, Mount Sinai South Nassau
Janice Campbell, MSN, RN, LCCE, IBCLC, the Lactation Coordinator at Mount Sinai South Nassau, located in Oceanside, New York, is the recipient of the individual award. She is being honored for advancing nursing practice through innovation, dedication to evidence-based practices, and an unwavering commitment to the safe care of her patients, staff, and community.
Ms. Campbell is passionate about education as a method of promoting patient safety and best practice, and she is committed to helping those in the community and historically marginalized populations. She is a long-standing member of her organization’s Nursing Research and Evidence-based Practice Council and a former Nursing Research Fellow. Under her leadership, Mount Sinai South Nassau participates in the New York State Birth Equity Improvement Project. As founder of We Breastfeed, Black Breastfeeding Coalition of New York, she strives to improve the health indicators of Black women and children through breastfeeding education and support.
“Janice exemplifies a genuine spirit of caring, initiative, and leadership in her role,” said Stacey Conklin, MSN, RN-BC, MHCDS, NE-BC, Senior Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, Mount Sinai South Nassau. “She has a passion for ensuring patient safety for both the mother and infant, and contributing to the overall health of the population.”
Honorable Mention: Mallory Cook, BSN, RN, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services
Receiving honorable mention for the individual award is Mallory "Mal" Cook, BSN, RN, at Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services in Grand Rapids, Michigan. She is being recognized for continuously demonstrating how caring and kindness contribute to the safe and compassionate care of persons with psychiatric mental health conditions.
Ms. Cook helps to keep her patients safe with a kind, caring method for assessing risk of suicide. This makes people in her care feel comfortable sharing how they are really doing and know they are valued. Her commitment to safety goes beyond her own department. Pine Rest implemented RN Peer Review this year to improve patient safety and outcomes, and to elevate nursing practice. Ms. Cook stepped up to chair this committee and has led the group through various systems improvements to improve patient safety.
“Mal’s commitment to caring and safety are exemplary, and we are grateful she is part of our team at Pine Rest,” said Gretchen Johnson, DNP, MSN, RN-BC, Chief Nurse Executive, Pine Rest Christian Mental Health Services. “She has a way of making those around her – including patients and staff – feel seen, heard, and valued. That takes true skill and caring.”
2023:
Individual Award: Jeffrey Schultz, MSN, APRN, ANP-BC, CCNS, CCRN, UF Health Shands Hospital
As a flight nurse for the ShandsCair Critical Care Transport Team at UF Health Shands Hospital, Mr. Schultz provides emergent care to critical pre-hospital patients during air transport, requiring him to function at the full scope of his practice in extremely stressful situations. As part of a helicopter EMS program, patient safety is a top priority. Mr. Schultz has an exemplary safety record and helps the program maintain optimal patient outcomes.
“Jeffrey’s effective communication, advanced clinical capabilities, and excellent interpersonal skills make him a role model for his peers and colleagues,” said Irene Alexaitis, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, Vice President and Chief Nursing Officer, UF Health Shands Hospital. “He illustrates his dedication to continuous learning and professional practice through his attainment of multiple specialty certifications, further reflecting his
commitment to excellence in caring for acute and critically ill patients.”
In addition to his role as a direct care flight nurse, Mr. Shultz practices as an acute care nurse practitioner specializing in critical care management of cardiovascular ICU patients. His career is centered around evidenced-based education, increasing patient safety, and advancing compassionate nursing practice. His colleagues credit him with consistently lifting up his teammates through clinical and personal mentorship while asking for nothing in return. He embodies compassion for others and is the definition of reliable.
The DAISY Award ® for Extraordinary Nurses in Patient Safety is supported by a generous grant from Baxter, a global provider of clinical technology and patient safety solutions.
Team:
Hemodialysis Team, South Texas Veterans Health Care System (STVHCS), Audie L. Murphy
Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, San Antonio, Texas
The STVHCS Hemodialysis Team has typified the VA Mission and VA Core Values through its work in the face of numerous recent challenges, including a winter storm that disrupted dialysis for more than 400 San Antonio patients, COVID-19 surges that resulted in unprecedented spikes in the number of hospitalized hemodialysis patients who required in-room dialysis treatments, and supply chain issues relating to critical dialysis equipment. Despite the tremendous hardship experienced in this region and by this staff, the Hemodialysis Team elevated its level of exemplary care to provide unwavering compassion and support to their patients, their patients’ families, the nephrology department, and the San Antonio dialysis community.
“The Hemodialysis Team is a family that forms bonds between staff and patients. Not only do these nurses find ways to celebrate special moments in Veterans’ lives, but they also partner with them to improve their experience in our organization,” said Valerie Rodriguez-Yu, DNP, RN, NEA-BC, CENP, Associate Director Patient Care Services, South Texas Veterans Health Care System. “The Hemodialysis Team sets the bar not only for STVHCS dialysis patients but for others by demonstrating the extraordinary impact nurses have on Veteran safety and experience.”
The STVHCS Hemodialysis Team, located at San Antonio’s Audie L. Murphy Memorial Veterans’ Hospital, serves America’s Veterans by providing high-quality patient care to 49 chronic dialysis Veterans while also serving the Veteran population in the inpatient units. Each team member – including 16 nurses and 10 technicians – displays a commitment to ensure their patients have a safe, timely, efficient, effective, and outstanding
experience during their dialysis treatment.