December 2010
Ernestine
Hepner
,
RN, BSN
Hematology/Hematopoietic Cell Transplant - Nursing Support
City of Hope
Duarte
,
CA
United States
Ernie Hepner is an exceptional nurse, fierce advocate and an example of keen dedication. We are nominating her for the DAISY Award because she illustrates the “soul” of nursing, being a hero for the individual patients when needed.
There was a young adult patient who did not have a caregiver prior to transplant because of unusual psychosocial stressors. As with many of our patients, this patient’s only option for cure was transplant. At City of Hope, we know that caregiver support is vitally important in the success of patients receiving transplant; the research is clear that a committed caregiver affects outcomes.
The patient did not have financial means or strong social family support to afford a personal caregiver. Ernie took extreme diligence in reviewing patient case, and working with the interdisciplinary team to forge a solution. She heighted the team’s awareness of the issue, met with key clinicians involved with the patient’s care, and she was able to find a viable solution for patient continue with the plan for transplant with a caregiver in place. We commend her for this superb effort. Without her nursing intervention, the team was ready to give up the plan for transplant because we did not have a caregiver for the patient.
She also showed extreme kindness, determination and professionalism throughout the process. She possessed the “sense of urgency” to make certain this patient was provided with the necessary resources. With her intervention, the patient has a chance for life. She collaborated with CSWs, MD, patient, patient’s friends and resources, and even community outreach group to find a caregiver for the patient. She gained trust from the traumatized and worried patient and instilled hope for the future plan for transplant by making sure that the caregiver issue was not a barrier. She also displayed excellent assessment skills and decision making focused directly in the area of the patient’s psychosocial need. She was able to use her vast interpersonal skills to gather peers and others to come to a decision and find a viable plan for a caregiver for the patient.
She is an Extraordinary Nurse, deserving of the DAISY Award.
There was a young adult patient who did not have a caregiver prior to transplant because of unusual psychosocial stressors. As with many of our patients, this patient’s only option for cure was transplant. At City of Hope, we know that caregiver support is vitally important in the success of patients receiving transplant; the research is clear that a committed caregiver affects outcomes.
The patient did not have financial means or strong social family support to afford a personal caregiver. Ernie took extreme diligence in reviewing patient case, and working with the interdisciplinary team to forge a solution. She heighted the team’s awareness of the issue, met with key clinicians involved with the patient’s care, and she was able to find a viable solution for patient continue with the plan for transplant with a caregiver in place. We commend her for this superb effort. Without her nursing intervention, the team was ready to give up the plan for transplant because we did not have a caregiver for the patient.
She also showed extreme kindness, determination and professionalism throughout the process. She possessed the “sense of urgency” to make certain this patient was provided with the necessary resources. With her intervention, the patient has a chance for life. She collaborated with CSWs, MD, patient, patient’s friends and resources, and even community outreach group to find a caregiver for the patient. She gained trust from the traumatized and worried patient and instilled hope for the future plan for transplant by making sure that the caregiver issue was not a barrier. She also displayed excellent assessment skills and decision making focused directly in the area of the patient’s psychosocial need. She was able to use her vast interpersonal skills to gather peers and others to come to a decision and find a viable plan for a caregiver for the patient.
She is an Extraordinary Nurse, deserving of the DAISY Award.