The Intensive Care Unit is where patients go when they are critically ill and need intense observation and care. ICU nurses have top-notch clinical skills, and the very best of them also have an extra dose of compassion to help calm these patients and their concerned family members. Kirstie Silvia of Peninsula Regional Medical Center’s ICU proved she had those qualities, which made a big difference to a family and earned her the Daisy Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
The family member who nominated her wrote: “My mother-in-law suffered a terrible fracture to her femur after being struck by a car. Following surgery, she was taken to the ICU. Kirstie Silvia was her nurse and remained glued to her bedside fighting to keep her blood pressure stable throughout the night. Each time I checked during the night, she provided thorough updates, letting me know how critical she was. She assured me they were doing everything they could to keep her alive.
“I know Kirstie was exhausted, emotionally and physically, when she clocked out the next morning. I later learned she shed buckets of tears when leaving work and continued to cry when she got home and shared the night’s event. My mother-in-law owes her life to all the staff in ICU! Each and every person cared for her as if she was their own. She got excellent medical care for her entire stay, but it was the emotional support to me and my family during that first night that made the difference. Thank you Kirstie for caring for taking care of me as well as her.”
Silvia was honored with the Daisy Award in a ceremony before her colleagues. She received a certificate commending her for being an extraordinary nurse. The certificate reads: “In deep appreciation of all you do, who you are, and the incredibly meaningful difference you make in the lives of so many people.” She was also presented with fresh flowers on behalf of the Peninsula Regional Medical staff, and a sculpture called A Healer’s Touch, hand-carved by artists of the Shona Tribe in Zimbabwe. To nominate an exceptional nurse, visit www.peninsula.org/DaisyAward and share a story.
The not-for-profit DAISY Foundation is based in Glen Ellen, CA, and was established by family members in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Patrick died at the age of 33 in late 1999 from complications of Idiopathic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (ITP), a little-known but not uncommon auto-immune disease. The care Patrick and his family received from nurses while he was ill inspired this unique means of thanking nurses for making a profound difference in the lives of their patients and patient families.
President and Co-Founder of The DAISY Foundation Bonnie Barnes said, “When Patrick was critically ill, our family experienced firsthand the remarkable skill and care nurses provide patients every day and night. Yet these unsung heroes are seldom recognized for the super-human work they do. The kind of work the nurses at PRMC are called on to do every day epitomizes the purpose of The DAISY Award.”
