Agnes Peters contacted an 85-year-old Veteran in response to his recent weight gain in a few days and low pulse. The Veteran insisted that he was fine and that the weight gain was intentional, but was having difficulties walking and breathing. However, the Veteran did not want to go to ED. Nurse Peters pleaded with the Veteran that something was not right and happened to hear someone in the background at the home with the Veteran. The Veteran admitted that it was his roommate’s caregiver.

After Nurse Peters got permission from the Veteran to speak with the caregiver regarding him, she was able to get that caregiver to take the Veteran to Hampton VA emergency room after more pleading. Upon arrival to the ED, they could not get a pulse on the Veteran and realized he was already in 3rd degree AV block. The Veteran was immediately transported to Portsmouth Naval where he is having surgery for a pacemaker. Nurse Peters saved this man's life. Had he not gotten to the hospital when he did who knows how much longer he would've lived. His pulse was in the 30s by the time Portsmouth Naval was able to get a reading. I commend her on her persistence in getting the Vet to go to the ED and the roommate’s caregiver who was willing to take the time to take him.