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Karen Root, RN, Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Nurse Practitioner, recently saved a baby’s life using her diligence and critical thinking. A premature baby had a life-threatening illness, but every test turned up negative. Root knew she had to think out of the box to help the infant. After following a hunch, she was able to identify the baby’s ailment and save its life.

A fellow team member nominated Root for a DAISY Award, which she recently received in a surprise ceremony. Read the full nomination below.

“I nominate my colleague Karen Root for the DAISY Award. Her sleuth skills literally prevented a 1-pound, 5-ounce baby from dying of fungal sepsis.

“Born at just 24-weeks gestation, the infant patient was admitted to the UVA NICU after being delivered secondary to preterm labor. The baby was immediately started on intravenous (IV) antibiotics because infection is a frequent cause of preterm labor and is the number one cause of death in preemies.

“Despite antibiotic treatment, the baby continued to clinically deteriorate, developing the highest white blood cell count many of us have ever seen in our careers. We were suspicious for sepsis and meningitis, but the baby’s blood culture remained negative. The baby’s leukocytosis was so severe, it prompted us to consult the pediatric hematology/oncology service to look for uncommon causes of elevated white blood cells, or ‘zebras’ as we call rarer illnesses.

“After sending many labs and other studies to rule out uncommon causes of leukocytosis, Karen instinctively knew that we were missing something and was determined to find answers. Karen carefully examined the mother’s medical record for clues and found that the mother’s placenta was positive for Candida, a species of fungus. The result of the mother’s Candida positive placenta was not communicated to the medical team taking care of the infant.

“While fungal sepsis is rare, it carries the highest risk of morbidity and poorest neurodevelopmental outcomes of any infection. Survival depends on quick identification and treatment with IV antifungal agents. Infants are not routinely placed on treatment doses of antifungal medications and fungus is not susceptible to antibiotics.

“After Karen’s important discovery, she was able to promptly order the antifungal medication that saved this precious preemie’s life. As of this writing, the baby is substantially improved due to Karen’s diligence.

“There is no life more deserving of our best efforts than a tiny, fragile baby and no person more deserving of an award than a person directly responsible for saving that baby’s life. I hope you will strongly consider Karen Root for the DAISY Award.”

Nomination edited for clarity.

Know a fabulous nurse?
The Professional Nursing Staff Organization honors up to two UVA RNs each month with a DAISY Award. Nominations may be submitted by patients, patient families, visitors, and fellow UVA team members. Learn more at uvadaisy.com.