A Passionate Commitment to Put Patients First
These poignant moments breathe new energy and focus into our everyday work. Two nurses, who have more than five decades of service to Salinas Valley Health between them, were honored with our prestigious DAISY Award for nursing excellence for their extraordinary commitment to overcoming the challenges of complex care in the intensive care unit.
The case was one in which teamwork, resolve and clinical skills turned hopes of the patient’s survival into reality. The patient required a thin, flexible tube to be placed in an artery for drainage of the lungs. Dana Rogers, RN, worked with the pulmonologist throughout the 6½-hour procedure, refusing to take any bedside breaks until she knew the patient was stable.
Due to the difficulty of draining the lungs while the patient was lying down, Lori Palm, RN, picked up the patient and remained seated with the person resting on her shoulder until the fluid was cleared from the lungs. The process ultimately saved the patient’s life.
“This exemplifies what extraordinary nursing care is all about,” says Salinas Valley Health Chief Nursing Officer Lisa Paulo, MSN/MPA, RN, CENP. “Our nurses rise to the occasion day in and day out. It’s not all about applying knowledge. It’s combining what your brain knows with a passionate commitment to put our patients first.”
Lifesaving Action Takes Place Throughout Our Healthcare System and Sometimes in Unexpected Places
When the usually calm and therapeutic environment of the Cardiac Wellness Center was the scene of a 911 Code Blue incident – a patient going into cardiac arrest – a team became first responders in an outpatient setting with one of the clinical professionals recognized for her leadership under pressure. Elizabeth “Betzi” Grogin began performing CPR while also mobilizing an attentive team to manage the emergency and tend to the needs of other patients. Thanks to Betzi’s quick CPR work and with colleagues at the ready with a defibrillator and supplemental oxygen, the patient was treated successfully at Salinas Valley Health before being transferred to Stanford Medical Center for a recommended heart transplant.
Following what one of the nurses present described as a “tense but controlled situation,” Betzi led the team debriefing session commending everyone’s efforts and ensuring they were emotionally stable to continue the workday. One of the key reasons for the successful outcome of the situation is attributed to emergency drills led by Betzi with a focused team participating regularly.
Honored with the DAISY Award for her actions, Betzi says, “We saved a life that day and that is always the greatest reward….I feel very fortunate to work with such an incredible team.”
Honoring Excellence
Every month, Salinas Valley Health offers recognition opportunities for two exceptional employees, one with a DAISY Award (for nurses) and another with a STAR Award (for all staff). STAR stands for the Salinas Valley Health values of Support, Teamwork, Accountability and Respect. The national DAISY Award was developed by the family of J. Patrick Barnes to celebrate extraordinary nurses who demonstrate skill and compassion. Nominations for DAISY and STAR Awards can be submitted by patients, visitors and staff.
Click these images to recognize an exemplary nurse or staff member at Salinas Valley Health.
