Andrea J Sparks
October 2024
Andrea J
Sparks
,
LPN
PACT-Primary Accountability Care Team
James E. Van Zandt VA Medical Center
Altoona
,
PA
United States
In addition to coordinating his bath, Andrea obtained new clothing (pants, a t-shirt, a long-sleeve shirt, underwear, and socks) from the volunteer service office.
Many honorees of the DAISY Award often respond to recognition with, “I didn’t do anything I wouldn’t do for my own family member; I was just doing my job.” This exact statement has resonated throughout my own clinical experiences and instantly came to mind for this team member who, in my opinion, went well above and beyond to care for a Veteran in need. This is why I felt it was necessary to nominate this team member for her overwhelming care and dedication to the mission we all serve here at JEVZ, the promise to care for those who have served in our nation’s military.
We had a Veteran come into the clinic for his yearly scheduled Primary Care appointment. This Veteran lives on his own, with limited transportation assistance from his nephew for appointments when he is available. Upon rooming the Veteran, Andrea noticed that he appeared to be unkempt and had a foul smell, like what she thought was urine. After gaining some trust from the Veteran during the rooming process, they discussed some of his barriers at home, some of which did not allow him the ability to adequately bathe himself. She proceeded with the visit and was able to gain enough trust to ask if he would allow her to assist him with getting a bath while here at the VA.
The Veteran was hesitant, then agreed to her offer. She finished her visit with the Veteran and then reassured him that she would make the necessary preparations while he was seeing the provider. She immediately contacted the nurse manager on CLC-5 and requested permission to bathe this patient. In addition to coordinating his bath, she obtained new clothing (pants, a t-shirt, a long-sleeve shirt, underwear, and socks) from the volunteer service office.
After the primary care visit was completed, she assisted the Veteran to the fifth floor via wheelchair. The Veteran was bathed and washed three times due to the buildup of dead skin and notable dirt over his body. She not only bathed this Veteran but also shaved and trimmed his fingernails. Once bathing and hygiene care were completed, she was also able to change his Foley catheter leg bag as she noticed it appeared to be dirty and had an excessive buildup of sediment throughout the inside of the bag. During the bath, she noticed the Veteran needed foot care and complained of painful toes from overgrown nails. She coordinated and assisted the patient to the podiatry clinic and spoke with the podiatrist, who, without hesitation, offered to trim his toenails while he was in our facility.
The staff from CLC-5 provided the Veteran with a bag of hygiene supplies to use at home. A bagged lunch was also obtained from the kitchen as the patient had been here at this facility for many hours without eating. During a conversation with the Veteran and nephew, Andrea learned that he was having problems with no running water in his bathroom and was attempting to bathe himself at the sink instead of a tub or shower. The nurse also offered to assist the Veteran in bathing and grooming at the facility until they were able to remedy the barriers at home. She far exceeded her duties as an LPN on the PACT team, and her kindness and compassion surely would be worthy of keeping Patrick’s spirit alive by being recognized with the DAISY Award.
We had a Veteran come into the clinic for his yearly scheduled Primary Care appointment. This Veteran lives on his own, with limited transportation assistance from his nephew for appointments when he is available. Upon rooming the Veteran, Andrea noticed that he appeared to be unkempt and had a foul smell, like what she thought was urine. After gaining some trust from the Veteran during the rooming process, they discussed some of his barriers at home, some of which did not allow him the ability to adequately bathe himself. She proceeded with the visit and was able to gain enough trust to ask if he would allow her to assist him with getting a bath while here at the VA.
The Veteran was hesitant, then agreed to her offer. She finished her visit with the Veteran and then reassured him that she would make the necessary preparations while he was seeing the provider. She immediately contacted the nurse manager on CLC-5 and requested permission to bathe this patient. In addition to coordinating his bath, she obtained new clothing (pants, a t-shirt, a long-sleeve shirt, underwear, and socks) from the volunteer service office.
After the primary care visit was completed, she assisted the Veteran to the fifth floor via wheelchair. The Veteran was bathed and washed three times due to the buildup of dead skin and notable dirt over his body. She not only bathed this Veteran but also shaved and trimmed his fingernails. Once bathing and hygiene care were completed, she was also able to change his Foley catheter leg bag as she noticed it appeared to be dirty and had an excessive buildup of sediment throughout the inside of the bag. During the bath, she noticed the Veteran needed foot care and complained of painful toes from overgrown nails. She coordinated and assisted the patient to the podiatry clinic and spoke with the podiatrist, who, without hesitation, offered to trim his toenails while he was in our facility.
The staff from CLC-5 provided the Veteran with a bag of hygiene supplies to use at home. A bagged lunch was also obtained from the kitchen as the patient had been here at this facility for many hours without eating. During a conversation with the Veteran and nephew, Andrea learned that he was having problems with no running water in his bathroom and was attempting to bathe himself at the sink instead of a tub or shower. The nurse also offered to assist the Veteran in bathing and grooming at the facility until they were able to remedy the barriers at home. She far exceeded her duties as an LPN on the PACT team, and her kindness and compassion surely would be worthy of keeping Patrick’s spirit alive by being recognized with the DAISY Award.