Hannah Nelson, a registered nurse at Olympic Medical Center, recently received a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses from OMC representatives.

The award, created by the DAISY Foundation, recognizes “the extraordinary, compassionate nursing care provided to patients and families every day.”

Nelson was recognized for her work as an emergency services nurse, her pediatric care in particular.

According to director of emergency services Aaron Possin, Hannah’s recognition comes as no surprise.

“Hannah has been dedicated to nursing excellence throughout her career,” Possin said. “She daily goes above and beyond the call of duty for each and every one of her patients.

“It comes as no surprise that Hannah was honored this latest Daisy award. She consistently represents the core values of OMC as well as the Daisy Foundation in her daily practice.”

A parent of a patient nominated Nelson for the DAISY award, writing:

“Hannah Nelson provided exceptional care for my daughter in the ED Triage. My daughter had a respiratory infection with reactive airway symptoms. She was wheezing and in respiratory distress with fast breathing and oxygen saturation of about 92%.

Hannah was the triage RN and pulled us into the triage room to assess my daughter. I was impressed with Hannah’s calm demeanor and her ability to connect with my daughter. My daughter trusted Hannah quickly. Hannah was efficient when gathering information and helping to communicate with the ED medical team to complete necessary tests and treat her wheezing.

Hannah collected the nasal pharyngeal test with competence and my daughter was tolerant as it was done quickly without much discomfort. I was so amazed by her caring and ability to connect and communicate with my daughter. My daughter was in pain, stressed and exhausted from the sickness and Hannah made her feel comfortable, while getting her the treatments for her condition. She felt better after the treatments and we were able to go home with medications that helped her through the night.

Thank you, Hannah! I am so happy to have excellent pediatric nursing care right in our local emergency department!”

Olympic Medical nurses may be nominated by patients, families and colleagues. 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 meaningful, hand-carved sculpture called “A Healer’s Touch.” A cross-functional committee of healthcare workers review the nominations and select the final nominee.

To nominate an extraordinary Olympic Medical Center nurse, or for more information, visit olympicmedical.org/thank-a-nurse.

The DAISY Foundation is a not-for-profit organization established in memory of J. Patrick Barnes, by members of his family. barnes died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of an auto-immune disease (DAISY is an acronym for Diseases Attacking the Immune SYstem). The care he and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this means of thanking nurses for making a difference in the lives of their patients and patient families. More information can be found at DAISYfoundation.org.

Photo courtesy of Olympic Medical Center / Olympic Medical Center nurse Hannah Nelson recently received a DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.