UCLA Journal of Radiation Oncology December First Edition - Flipbook - Page 30
UCLA RADIATION ONCOLOGY JOURNAL
DAISY AWARD RECIPIENT
ERICA ASCENCIO
UCLA Radiation Oncology Nurse, Erica Ascencio, recently received a prestigious
DAISY Award. She was nominated by fellow nurse, Jessica Sparks. What follows is her
nomintion letter, written by Sparks, which perfectly captures Erica's character and the
daily contribuation she makes to the department.
E
rica is an extraordinary nurse and
always goes above and beyond for
patients in the clinic. She is also a
leader in the clinic and is looked up to by
her colleagues. She is willing to jump in
and help when needed and always answers
questions from staff or patients.
One situation in particular makes her
stand out even more. We had a patient
who was receiving radiation therapy to the
head and neck area. The patient came into
the clinic for his weekly treatment visit
with the doctor. The patient was unable to
speak because of his facial deformities and
dry mouth from cancer treatments. When
checked, the patient's vital signs were
not within normal range and he needed
to have an immediate chest x-ray and to
be taken to the ED. Erica went into swift
action working with the doctor to get the
tests ordered and help the patient.
In addition to the patient having issues, the
patient’s wife, for whom the patient is the
primary caregiver, has severe dementia. At
times the wife did not even know who her
husband was and would tell everyone this.
When Erica was assessing the husband,
the wife repeatedly told her that this man
was not her husband and he keeps telling
people he is, but it is a lie.
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The wife claimed that this strange man
was outside of her trailer in the morning
but looked like he needed help so she
rode with him here to help him out. She
knew her husband would come to our
department for treatments, but stated her
husband was mad at her right now and
she did not know where he currently was.
The wife claimed she was mad at this man
because he was lying and she did not want
her husband to hear about another man
calling her his wife.
After about thirty minutes and explaining
to the wife that her husband looks different
now because of his treatments and
surgeries, the wife realized who he was.
She then began to cry and Erica consoled
and comforted her until she calmed down.
Erica did not feel comfortable sending
the patient and his wife to the ED with the
patient unable to talk/communicate and
the wife being confused. Erica called over
to the ED and explained the situation to
the charge RN and then walked the patient
and wife over. The patient was taken in
right away and Erica stayed by their side
throughout the whole process. The wife
was asked many times to identify her
husband since he was unable to talk, but
thankfully Erica was there to explain the