toh

Jacqueline Long (front, with walker) and her family presented the 4 West Transitional Care Unit with the Team Nursing Award for the kindness and compassion the nurses showed to her.

Compassion, smiles, kind hellos, and time spent listening – that’s why a patient family nominated the 4 West team for The Ottawa Hospital’s annual Team Nursing Award.

“Their smiles and kind hellos always made our family feel welcome,” said Jennifer Long, who, along with her family, presented the award to the 4 West Transitional Care Unit in November at the Nursing Recognition Celebration.

“They found time in their busy schedules to sit on the edge of the bed and joined the circle of our friends and family,” said Jennifer Long. “Their compassion not only enriched the life of our mother while in hospital, but reached out and touched our hearts with every visit, and for that we are truly grateful.”

Nurses on the 4 West team set up a puzzle table for patient Jacqueline Long and shared their own cultural origins so she could update her world map.

“The gesture of printing up a pretend ‘plane ticket’ in response to a wish of our mother’s was very touching and made her feel special,” said Jennifer Long.

Caiti Ford, Clinical Manager on 4 West, said the nurses skilfully deliver care that focuses on each patient’s individual needs and goals.

“Time and again I have seen them go above and beyond, thinking outside the box, to ensure that our patients are safe and feel well cared for,” Ford said. “I am proud to work with a group that, I feel, embraces the TOH vision.”

The annual Nursing Recognition Celebration honours the many nurses who are making a difference at The Ottawa Hospital.

Rhonda Harrison-Davis was nominated by her peers and won the Wendy Nicklin Professional Image of Nursing Award. She planned and led the annual WHO (World Health Organization) hand hygiene day to increase nursing, physician, and support staff awareness of the uniqueness of their environment.

Natalie Paterson won the peer-nominated Sue Robblee Clinical Practice Award for her skill and ability to de-escalate high stress situations in a professional, calm and respectful manner. She cares for patients with great compassion, often going above and beyond to accommodate the needs of her patients and their families.

Ruby Saculles won the Dr. Ginette Lemire-Rodger Nursing Quality Improvement Award. She co-led an initiative to improve nursing practices on surgical drains and percutaneous tube management. She engaged her colleagues in a focus group and helped develop patient education material, which continues to enhance the patient experience.

Julie Chin and Lee Petrin won the peer-nominated Annual Nursing Education Award for taking on education work beyond their regular duties. They organized, developed and implemented a full-day education session for 50 of their colleagues.

You might also like…