Susie Adams
February 2022
Susie
Adams
,
RN
Mother Baby Unit
Ascension Saint Alexius Medical Center
Hoffman Estates
,
IL
United States
Susie's advocacy and unremitting care changed the course of my hospitalization. From the little things to the big ones, she was on it. She listened to me and took action that made a difference.
Nurses are connoisseurs of great patient care, so when one of our own sent in a nomination following an incognito stay in our Postpartum Unit, we paid close attention. She had nothing but well-informed praise for Susie Adams, R.N., and made it clear she is a DAISY Nurse.
The joys of new motherhood might be without number, but its trials are also part of the picture, so we do our utmost to ensure a new baby's first cries are more memorable than the labor leading up to it, or any pain or discomfort related to its aftermath. This proved to be very challenging for Susie's patient, who had undergone both a lengthy delivery culminating in C-Section, a painful recovery period.
The first two days following the patient's birthing of a healthy baby boy were truly difficult. Breastfeeding was a problem, and the distance between the patient's bed and her chair seemed to grow with each increment of pain it took to reach it - it was almost more than she could bear to get to it a single time. Then, there were catheter issues. The nurse in her simply knew that her output wasn't what it should be.
But everything changed for the better on Day 3 when Susie came on duty. According to her patient, she hit the ground running. Susie first contacted the physician to bring the pain under control. Then, she had the catheter irrigated to remove a clot obstructing the flow. She did some essential coaching so breastfeeding came easier, arranged for new linens and fresh water, and simply kept checking in - all the long day. And when meals were paused pending the outcome of tests, Susie made sure she was fed the moment she was cleared - after all, the patient was eating for two and was ravenous. The patient was also awed.
The patient writes: "Susie's advocacy and unremitting care changed the course of my hospitalization. From the little things to the big ones, she was on it. She listened to me and took action that made a difference. She's amazing - pure DAISY Award material. Make sure she knows that."
We'll gladly tell her, but she may not stop to listen. She's too busy rolling up her sleeves. In her book, there's not a moment to be lost.
The joys of new motherhood might be without number, but its trials are also part of the picture, so we do our utmost to ensure a new baby's first cries are more memorable than the labor leading up to it, or any pain or discomfort related to its aftermath. This proved to be very challenging for Susie's patient, who had undergone both a lengthy delivery culminating in C-Section, a painful recovery period.
The first two days following the patient's birthing of a healthy baby boy were truly difficult. Breastfeeding was a problem, and the distance between the patient's bed and her chair seemed to grow with each increment of pain it took to reach it - it was almost more than she could bear to get to it a single time. Then, there were catheter issues. The nurse in her simply knew that her output wasn't what it should be.
But everything changed for the better on Day 3 when Susie came on duty. According to her patient, she hit the ground running. Susie first contacted the physician to bring the pain under control. Then, she had the catheter irrigated to remove a clot obstructing the flow. She did some essential coaching so breastfeeding came easier, arranged for new linens and fresh water, and simply kept checking in - all the long day. And when meals were paused pending the outcome of tests, Susie made sure she was fed the moment she was cleared - after all, the patient was eating for two and was ravenous. The patient was also awed.
The patient writes: "Susie's advocacy and unremitting care changed the course of my hospitalization. From the little things to the big ones, she was on it. She listened to me and took action that made a difference. She's amazing - pure DAISY Award material. Make sure she knows that."
We'll gladly tell her, but she may not stop to listen. She's too busy rolling up her sleeves. In her book, there's not a moment to be lost.