Hospital nurse receives DAISY award
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Putting a patient and his family at ease during a "no-visitation" period earned a Warren General Hospital nurse a nomination for a DAISY Award.
In April, Registered Nurse Kelsie Obermeyer, who works on the medical surgical unit, was awarded a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
She is the 10th DAISY Award winner at the hospital. "The award is part of the DAISY Foundation's program to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day," according to a Warren General release.
Obermeyer was caring for an inpatient in January.
In a nomination letter, a family member wrote, "My father was recently hospitalized at WGH for six days following a major surgery."
"I am a nurse myself, so I understand the 'no visitation' rule, however, it does not make it any easier not being at my dad's bedside," the family member wrote. "Kelsie went above and beyond taking care of my father. She called me daily to give me updates on my father, even when there was nothing to update me on."
"Kelsie took the time to listen to my father and address him in a respectful manner, which gave him the autonomy and control he was desperately seeking," according to the nominating letter. "She went the extra mile to dilute my dad's IV pain medications, pushing them extra slow to prevent my father from feeling a head rush."
"My father is a recovered alcoholic for 24 years and he fears taking pain medication," the writer said. "Kelsie took the time to explain the purpose of the pain medications and the parameters in place to prevent him from getting addicted to the pain medications."
"She treated my dad with respect and explained things to him without making him feel rushed or uneducated," the family member said. "She treated my dad like her own family."
"Kelsie has a way of putting people at ease in a stressful situation. Her attention to detail proves she cares not only for her patients but their families," the writer said. "She is respectful, compassionate, and an amazing nurse all around. I am so thankful she was there to take care of my dad when I wasn't allowed to be at his bedside."
"She reminded me to take care of myself while she took care of my dad," the family member wrote. "Her compassion for patients and empathy for me made all the difference in the world."
Nurses may be nominated by patients, families, and colleagues. The award recipient is chosen by a committee at Warren General Hospital to receive The DAISY Award. Awards are presented throughout the year at celebrations attended by the honoree's colleagues, patients, and visitors.
Each honoree receives a certificate commending her or him as an "Extraordinary Nurse."
The certificate reads: "In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people."
Honorees also receive a DAISY Award pin and a beautiful and meaningful sculpture called A Healer's Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe.
WGH Chief Nursing Officer Joe Akif said, "We are proud to be among the healthcare organizations participating in The DAISY Award program. Nurses are heroes every day. It's important that our nurses know their work is highly-valued, and The DAISY Foundation provides a way for us to do that."
The release from Warren General said, "Congratulations Kelsie Obermeyer RN, Warren General Hospital is honored to have an exceptional nurse like you working here."