Connect

A team member recently noticed Haley Lutz, RN, Post-Anesthesia Care Unit (PACU), exceeding expectations for her patients and peers. The fellow nurse nominated Haley for a DAISY Award after she washed, detangled, and braided a patient’s hair who was in much need of the extra attention. This is the second time Haley has won a DAISY Award. Congratulations, Haley! Read the full nomination below.

“Haley is a pretty new addition to the PACU but has already become a nurse who stands out. She is always going above and beyond and helping patients and her fellow coworkers whenever and however she can. 

“The particular situation that I witnessed was her interaction with a patient that has been going between being an inpatient here at UVA and being a patient in a skilled nursing facility. The patient had undergone a recent procedure.

“When the physician gave Haley report of what happened during the case, she mentioned that the patient’s level of orientation waxed and waned. At times, the patient seemed to be more aware of her surroundings and what was going on, and then at other times, she was disoriented.

“When the patient first arrived to the PACU, she was very somnolent and was very hard to arouse. Haley kept asking the patient questions and patiently waited to see if she would answer. In the meantime, Haley noticed that her fingernails were very dirty and her hair was a mess. 

“Haley proceeded to get a basin of water and soaked the patient’s hands to clean under her nails. Haley obtained a shampoo cap and used that to wash the patient’s hair. Haley then worked at the patient’s hair, getting it unknotted and untangled. Her hair was so knotted and tangled that Haley had to use water soluble lubricant to help get the knots out of her hair.

“When Haley was done getting her hair untangled, she then placed the patient’s hair in a braid. The patient looked like a completely different woman than she did from when she first rolled into the PACU.

“While Haley was doing all of this for the patient, she was constantly talking with the patient and asking her questions. After a period of time, the patient began to answer her questions. Haley asked about the patient’s family and asked if the patient would like to talk with her husband on the phone. Haley called her husband and had the patient talk with him.

“Haley realized that others had not had the time to do these ‘little things’ for the patient, and she felt like the patient needed some TLC.

“I know that Haley was not doing these extra things for the patient looking for any type of acknowledgement, but I feel that she does need to be acknowledged for going above and beyond.”

Nomination edited for clarity and privacy.

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.