Barbara Lambeth
June 2017
Barbara
Lambeth
,
RN
Care Coordination Home Telehealth
Southern Arizona VA Health Care System
Tucson
,
AZ
United States

 

 

 

A Veteran's home burned to the ground Tuesday night. He and his family were able to escape the fire with the clothes on their backs, their cell phone, and family pet. Wednesday morning, the Veteran telephoned his Home Telehealth nurse, Barbara Lambeth, to ask for assistance with finding a way to replace his basic medical equipment and medications. "I did not know who else to call." The nurse helped the Veteran to prioritize his immediate needs and they worked together on a plan. Within an hour SAVAHCS staff replaced his CPAP equipment and prosthetics items needed for the Veteran's breathing treatments. The Veteran's medications were replaced by the pharmacist at the Northwest Community Based Outpatient Clinic and SAVAHCS volunteers donated two handmade quilts.
The Veteran and his family were moved to tears. A direct quote:
"I love SAVAHCS and have written many letters to the Director about the great staff there but what you all have done today is beyond our imagination."