DAISY Award—Derrick Chu

Derrick Chu
Emergency Department

Nominator: Josiah Cooper

Derrick is an outstanding nurse here in the UC Davis Emergency department, and I wanted to take this opportunity to recognize him for a standout moment that I was able to witness during an incredibly difficult situation. As many know, we have a diverse population of patients in this ER, and we treat patients with medical problems but also psychiatric problems as well. As the primary nurse of a patient who had a hard conversation with our psychiatric team about how he was going to need to be on a hold for the safety of others, the patient became very agitated at me and very threatening. It was at this moment that Derrick stepped between the patient and me, leaving a safe space, and using calm words was able to redirect the patient to return to his room. Derrick did not stop there, while safety officers and our campus Police Department were called to the area, the patient became more agitated and more confrontational. Seeing this he pulled the team aside and said, "I think I can talk to this patient, can you guys step back a little so that he doesn't feel so encroached," he used direct but compassionate words, and a patient that is in usually marginalized population, was receiving compassionate care, resulting in a less traumatic outcome. The patient complied with Derrick and the rest of the shift kept thanking him for using words instead of force.

Derrick is an incredible nurse and an asset to our team; I am glad he was here for that patient and know that the type of small decisions he makes day in, and day out contribute to a more equitable and fair treatment environment for our diverse patients.