Megan Smakulski, RN III, honored with DAISY Award
Megan Smakulski, MSN, RN III, PCCN, was honored with the DAISY Award for Extraordinary Nurses.
Christiana Care DAISY Award recipients are nurses recognized for meeting and exceeding the needs and expectations of patients and families by displaying exceptional clinical skills, compassion, respect and partnership.
Smakulski’s DAISY nomination came from a daughter who appreciates the extraordinary care, respect and sensitivity Smakulski showed her father during his stay at Christiana Hospital.
The patient came to Christiana Care via transfer from another hospital after emergency abdominal surgery and discovery of a PEG tube displacement. Following care in the medical intensive-care unit, he transitioned to the 3D pulmonary stepdown unit, where Smakulski was his primary nurse. Twenty days post-op, the patient was still unable to pass solid food.
Smakulski was determined to solve the problem. She helped obtain an order to discontinue the Foley catheter, initiated bladder scanning, intermittent catheterization, and collaborated with the teaching attending physician. The team succeeded.
In her nomination, the daughter said, “Megan was a role model in facilitating the care of my father in every aspect.” She especially appreciated Smakulski’s respect for her father’s spirituality and modesty.
“Megan helped alleviate our anxiety after having such a challenging experience at the former hospital. I could rest knowing Daddy was receiving such a high quality of care.
Today, I called her an angel sent from God. … I shall never forget her, the time she took to address the issues and her excellent care.”
Established in 1999, the family of J. Patrick Barnes created the DAISY (Diseases Attacking the Immune System) Award to honor his memory with a tribute to the skillful and compassionate care he received from his nurses during his hospitalization. Today, more than 2,000 health care facilities in every state and 15 countries honor nurses with the DAISY Award.
The Professional Nurse Council at Christiana Care selects DAISY Award recipients using a blind selection process based on nominations from patients, families and all members of the Christiana Care team. All nurses — inpatient, outpatient and VNA — are eligible.
