September 2015
Danielle
Opitz
,
BSN,RN
Progressive Care
Nebraska Methodist Hospital
Omaha
,
NE
United States
... Danielle's persistent effort to grant her patient the best quality of life at the end of his life has been evident over the last few weeks. Her patient, a 35 year old cancer patient who has been in Methodist Hospital over 5 weeks. Danielle reached out to the head of security to obtain special arrangements for the patient's dog, a Pit bull, to visit the patient. She did not settle for the written policy, but demonstrated patient advocacy to grant the patient's wish. Danielle was also very visible and proactive with Dr. E, the Palliative Care physician by obtaining a new consult for plastic surgery, who had a non-invasive solution that made it possible for the patient to literally see his wife and 3 children beyond the swelling of his eyes and face. Dr. E noticed the extra efforts which Danielle has shown to improve the quality of life for this patient and requested her to be recognized.