We are excited for the opportunity to nominate the 5 Tower COVID-19 unit ICU and Telemetry RNs for The DAISY Team Award. During the pandemic, they have been caring for the sickest patients day after day, week after week. On this unit, we do not allow visitors, which has resulted in the team becoming the go-between for family members, celebrating anniversaries and birthdays with the patients, and being the only ones present while supporting the death and dying process. These nurses give everything they have emotionally to support the patient, family, and each other’s needs. End-of-life care is a unique and critical time to not only care for patients but also for the family members of patients who are actively dying. To aid in the grieving and coping process of loved ones and family members, the 5 Tower RNs started a program called “Heartbeat in a Bottle”. This program supports the families in the loss of their loved ones. Prior to the patient's passing, the staff obtain the EKG rhythm of the patient and place the strip in a small glass bottle as a keepsake when their loved one has passed away. The tiny bottle is sealed, then given to the family as a memento of their loved one's heartbeat.

The entire 5 Tower ICU and Telemetry team has done a fantastic job supporting patients and families during the pandemic; working many extra hours to cover care needs. They place their hearts and emotions on the front line each day to administer the care needed to support these critically ill patients. I can’t think of a better way to celebrate the excellent care administered by these nurses than to recognize them as a DAISY Team.