Archuleta is SLVH's DAISY Winner

Rikki accepts the banner to display in her department from the former winner, Ellie Garcia, RN, RMC Emergency Department.

Rikki Archuleta, an RN in the ICU at SLV Health's Regional Medical Center, is a very deserving winner of the DAISY nomination for this quarter for nursing excellence.  She exemplifies the DAISY criteria, especially in this submission from a patient's family member.

Rikki is shown here with her supervisor, Amber Marquez, SLVH Director of Med-Surg and ICU at the RMC in Alamosa.

"Rikki was my brother's nurse when he was hospitalized. Working in healthcare and being the person that was by his side the whole time you can tell who cares and takes pride in their work and who is there basically to collect a check. Rikki was attentive, caring, and thorough. Of all the nurses he had in his long stay also including a trip to Penrose. Rikki was hands down the most amazing nurse he/we were blessed with. She would get on to her shift and be sure he was given a bed bath or when able was able to shower. My brother was in a poor state of mind, she did not treat him any less of a human being. At one point he kept making messes of himself, which Rikki told him I am sorry I know you’re in pain but it’s important to keep you clean there as you have an open wound and infection there. The fact she took the time to ensure he was clean was huge to me. She remained diligent and kind his whole stay. When they flew him out to Penrose we missed her as she had become a part of almost every night and her level of care remained unmatched."

The DAISY Award is an international recognition program started in memory of J. Patrick Barnes. Pat’s family experienced first-hand the difference his nurses made in his care through clinical excellence and outstanding compassionate care. The family created The DAISY Award to express gratitude to nurses and to enable other patients, families, and staff to thank and honor their special nurses. Read more about the DAISY award here.

At the celebration event, Rikki was joined by her husband and daughter, friends, family, and co-workers.

Rikki is the 6th recipient at SLV Health.  To read about the other winners, go here.