From MRMC
Maya Wilkinson, BSN, RN of Matagorda Regional Medical Center (MRMC) was recently honored with The DAISY Award For Extraordinary Nurses.
The award is part of the DAISY Foundation’s programs to recognize the super-human efforts nurses perform every day.
The nomination submitted read, “I would like to nominate Maya Wilkinson for the DAISY award. Maya provides compassionate care to all her patients each day that she shows up for work, however the care that she provides for patients in their last stage of life (actively dying) go above and beyond each and every time. “Recently, a 66 year old patient was admitted for end stage COPD and was hospitalized for seven days.
“When the patient was admitted, she was alert and oriented but remained in severe respiratory distress.
During her stay, Maya established a close and caring relationship with the patient.
“The patient decompensated towards the end of her hospital stay and the patient, along with her family decided to go on hospice.
“The patient verbalized ‘it is time’”.
When Maya returned to work after a few days off, she understood why the patient was placed on hospice but was deeply saddened.
She made it her priority to make her comfortable.
Finally it was inevitable that the time was near and Maya played “Go Rest High On The Mountain.”
She sat with the patient as she took her last breath and remained with the patient, holding her hand until the family arrived.
When the family arrived, they recognized the song that was playing and told Maya that was one of her favorite songs.
Once the family members arrived, Maya printed out the EKG strip of the patient’s heart beat for the family to cherish.
One of the most important things a nurse can do when a patient is dying it to support the family by educating them on what they might expect to happen during this time, addressing their questions and concerns, and being an active listener.
Maya does all of this for all her patients and she does it well.
She has been known to make last requests happen such as taking patients outside in the sunshine one last time, as well as sing to patients.
Maya strives to provide the best care possible and is a strong patient advocate, and is well deserving of the DAISY award.
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes.
Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little known, but not uncommon auto-immune disease.
The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families
“When Patrick was critically ill, our
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family experienced first-hand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night,” said Bonnie Barnes, FAAN, CEO and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation.
“Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the superhuman work they do.”
“The kind of work the nurses at [hospital] are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.” said Chief Nursing Officer Tina Slaughter, BSN, RN.
“Maya is a true asset to MRMC, she is a strong patient advocate, and we are blessed to have her a part of our Intensive Care Team.” For a complete listing of healthcare organizations currently running the program, please go to http://DAISYfoundation.org In addition to the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses, the Foundation expresses gratitude to the nursing profession internationally in over 4,600 healthcare facilities and schools of nursing with recognition of direct care Nurses, Nurse-led Teams, Nurse Leaders, Nurses Advancing Health Equity, Nursing Faculty, Nursing Students, Lifetime Achievement in Nursing and through the J. Patrick Barnes Grants for Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Projects, Medical Mission Grants their new Health Equity Grant program.
More information is available at http://DAISYfoundation.org.
Matagorda County Hospital District (MCHD) was established in 1965 by an act of the Texas Legislature to serve the health care needs of Matagorda County residents.
Through ownership, partnerships, or affiliations, MCHD operates Matagorda Regional Medical Center and supports community health, medical wellness, medical group, and other outreach centers throughout Matagorda County, Texas.
A seven-member Board of Managers is appointed by the Commissioners’ Court for governance and to guide major health-related initiatives.
More information can be found at matagordaregional.org and facebook.com/matagordaregional.