Katelyn Freeman Celebrated as DAISY Award Winner

Congratulations Katelyn Freeman, RN, Emergency Department, for being recognized as a Hot Springs DAISY Award winner.

She was nominated by a coworker who’s husband was a patient at the hospital.

The coworker’s husband came into the ED with chest pressure and pain in his neck and jaw. He was quickly assessed in triage and taken back to an ED room. Katelyn came in, introduced herself and explained everything that she was going to do.

The patient’s wife said she was continuously smiling and very comforting. She started his IV, drew blood, and got him hooked up. She said Katelyn laughed and joked with him, taking his mind off his pain and helping ease the anxiety of waiting to see what lab results show.

Soon the doctor came with the news that the patient was actively having a heart attack.

“My big strong husband broke down, sobbing. I didn’t really know what to do, I held his hand and we cried. Katelyn was there to reassure us that everything was going to be ok and explained everything that was happening. Katelyn kept a smile on her face and a positive tone which kept me and my husband’s anxiety at bay for the most part,” said the patient’s wife.

“She kept us informed, reassured us, and the mood light-hearted, which was exactly what we needed. I just wanted her to know how much she touched our lives that day and what an amazing nurse she is!“