Terri Hays
September 2013
Terri
Hays
,
RN
Behavioral Health, Crisis Management Unit
Baptist Health Louisville
Louisville
,
KY
United States
We nominate Terri Hays of the Crisis Management Unit for the DAISY Award. Terri was a Godsend for our father and our family. I will try to be brief. Her love, comfort and compassion helped calm a very traumatic period in our lives. Let me tell the story.
Our father had already been diagnosed with dementia and was being cared for at home by our mother. Mom developed a UTI and became disoriented and drove after dark. She had a small accident and was brought to your ER. Over the next two days, she had multiple strokes and was admitted to the hospital for care. Dad was at home and his world was upside down. He became more confused and agitated and had a complete meltdown. He was admitted to CMU and had to be placed in a restraint vest and medicated. It was then that we learned how advanced the dementia had progressed.
Terri was the nurse that we as a family came to depend on for support and information. Dad was violent, impulsive, and combative. She remained calm and loving to him. He even had a case of diarrhea and it got all over her uniform. Terri never wavered in her care for him. After several days, he became a bit calmer. She helped us arrange a visit from our Mom with him and they were able to see other after a week apart (not sure either really remembers the visit though). My wife had just had foot surgery and it was difficult to care for mom in one end of the hospital and look after Dad in CMU. Terri kept in contact with us to let us know when he was alert enough to visit.
They are both in a local nursing facility now and adjusting to their new normal. Terri was so good to us, and a pleasure to see each day. After this experience, we realize it takes a special person to be able to work daily in the difficult units. All the staff was great, but Terri will be part of our hearts forever. As we live in Texas, and can only be in Louisville for visits, we promise to keep Terri informed on Dad's progress.
Thank you for allowing her to be in our lives. Terri is truly an asset to Baptist East and I thank you for considering her for this extraordinary award.
Our father had already been diagnosed with dementia and was being cared for at home by our mother. Mom developed a UTI and became disoriented and drove after dark. She had a small accident and was brought to your ER. Over the next two days, she had multiple strokes and was admitted to the hospital for care. Dad was at home and his world was upside down. He became more confused and agitated and had a complete meltdown. He was admitted to CMU and had to be placed in a restraint vest and medicated. It was then that we learned how advanced the dementia had progressed.
Terri was the nurse that we as a family came to depend on for support and information. Dad was violent, impulsive, and combative. She remained calm and loving to him. He even had a case of diarrhea and it got all over her uniform. Terri never wavered in her care for him. After several days, he became a bit calmer. She helped us arrange a visit from our Mom with him and they were able to see other after a week apart (not sure either really remembers the visit though). My wife had just had foot surgery and it was difficult to care for mom in one end of the hospital and look after Dad in CMU. Terri kept in contact with us to let us know when he was alert enough to visit.
They are both in a local nursing facility now and adjusting to their new normal. Terri was so good to us, and a pleasure to see each day. After this experience, we realize it takes a special person to be able to work daily in the difficult units. All the staff was great, but Terri will be part of our hearts forever. As we live in Texas, and can only be in Louisville for visits, we promise to keep Terri informed on Dad's progress.
Thank you for allowing her to be in our lives. Terri is truly an asset to Baptist East and I thank you for considering her for this extraordinary award.