On Saturday after regular Shot Clinic hours, I received a phone call from security stating that there was a patient with a newly inserted port who was bleeding on the 4th floor and could I please come to assist? On my way over I encountered Anna Re who had finished her shift and was leaving for the day. I asked her if she knew about a patient with a bleeding port. She did not, but without hesitation went with me to investigate the situation.
We found Mrs. X at the nursing station with bloody clothes very anxious and asking for help with a newly inserted port. She did not know who the surgeon was and was worried about the blood. Anna immediately calmed the patient by sitting her in a chair and assessing the site, while I spoke to her and attempted to go through her folder of papers and discharge instructions. During this process, Anna used her expert skills to assess the area, cleansed, redressed the area, managed to do some teaching on-site care, because her skin had become irritated and used extra care in covering it to prevent further irritation. There was no active bleeding, so we all agreed that the patient could go home safely. She was given supplies in the event she needed to change the dressing before Monday.
The patient was unsure of her next appointment, where to go and what would happen. Anna took the time to go through it with her, and show her how to read the appointment list, and made sure she knew what to ask the MD/ARNP. During this time, we learned that the patient has no spouse, children or relatives, and was relying on friends to drive her. We waited with her until she knew someone was here and the patient expressed her deep gratitude for being taken care of.
I feel very proud to work with someone like Anna who has such compassion and concern that she took care of the patient's physical and emotional needs without even thinking or hesitating for a moment. When the patient left she was calm, smiling, and safe. She left knowing how to better take care of her incision and when to come back, all of which decreased her anxiety regarding her new diagnosis. As she was leaving, the patient gave many thanks and Anna's humble demeanor as though staying after to assist in an unknown situation was part of any regular day. And for someone like Anna is probably is.