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A patient recently credited Davra Taylor, RN, 6 East, for saving his life. He was admitted to the Medical Center with internal bleeding, but the cause was unknown. Taylor took it upon herself to reevaluate the patient’s symptoms, and she discovered a serious cause.

The patient nominated Taylor for a DAISY Award to show his gratitude for her lifesaving care. Taylor received the award in a surprise ceremony with the patient and his family, Chief Nursing Officer Mary Dixon, and the DAISY Award committee.

Read the full DAISY Award nomination below.

“Following a robotic laproscopic partial nephrectomy at another facility, I was admitted to UVA hospital with internal bleeding. After multiple days of evaluation and treatment, the doctors and residents in attendance was unable to determine the cause of the bleeding.

“I am an avid walker, hiker, and bicyclist, but my wife tells me that under the circumstances, I appeared to be much older and out of shape. My acute shortness of breath and weakness was getting worse and not characteristic for me.

“Davra Taylor uniquely took my wife’s concerns seriously. She took the initiative to call a Medical Emergency Team (MET), and subsequently, I was evaluated for deep-vein thrombosis (DVT). A large pulmonary embolism (PE) was discovered along with additional clots in my legs. The response to my condition dramatically changed with a transfer to the ICU and treatment for the PE.

“Throughout the evaluation by the MET, Davra stayed with us providing reassurance and care. After treatment for the PE, she visited me in the ICU to check on my progress, which we also very much appreciated.

“I feel that Davra Taylor may have saved my life through her extraordinary care and her willingness to listen to my wife and me in the face of foregone conclusions. She certainly had an outsized influence on the outcome.

“I was discharged, and currently, I am doing quite well at home with rapid improvement in my physical activity level. I offer my profound thanks to the entire UVA team and especially to Davra Taylor on 6 East.”

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.