Betsy Boyle
October 2020
Betsy
Boyle
,
RN, CCM
Discharge Planning, Nursing Administration
Fort Belvoir Community Hospital
Fort Belvoir
,
VA
United States
Ms. Boyle is kind and sensitive to the needs of all of her patients and their families. Her empathy and compassion truly come through when she is confronted with elderly patients struggling with discharge home care decisions.
One particular case that stands out is the efforts Ms. Boyle exerted for a 77-year-old homeless gentleman. Through her interactions with the patient, she realized he needed assistance with his health management, housing, and finances once he was discharged. Ms. Boyle was instrumental in assisting the patient with obtaining safe housing after she was told all other means had been exhausted.
When it was announced the patient was medically ready for discharge, Ms. Boyle voiced the patient had nowhere to go but his car. She was told he was on the waiting list for a shelter which would not have availability for several weeks. Ms. Boyle was not comfortable with the patient being discharged to his car so she pursued the issue with anyone who would listen. She researched the internet, called several offices, and was told nothing could be done to assist the patient.
Ms. Boyle finally came across the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness and spoke to the Director. The Director told Ms. Boyle the patient was already on the waiting list and would probably be able to get housing in several weeks due to his place on the list. Ms. Boyle explained to the Director the patient's condition and his need for immediate housing. She informed the Director that the patient was a veteran and would be discharged to his car. She also expressed he had a job and insurance but needed guidance to manage his affairs. The Director informed Ms. Boyle she was not aware the patient was a veteran, and she would change his status in the database which would move him up on the list. The Director also informed. Ms. Boyle the patient would be able to get housing in a couple of days due to his veteran status. Ms. Boyle asked the physician if he would delay the discharge until the Fairfax County Office called back. The physician agreed and when Ms. Boyle went in to tell the patient he could stay, the Bailey's Crossroads Shelter was calling with news the patient could be discharged to their facility that same afternoon.
Due to Ms. Boyle's persistence, the patient was discharged on the day as planned to a safe environment with an assigned Case Manager. Ms. Boyle did not stop there; she called the patient's insurance company and acquired two case managers who assured her they would continue to follow the patient to ensure his health needs were managed. Ms. Boyle is an outstanding role model for the nursing profession; she was definitely a DAISY in this patient's bouquet of problems.
One particular case that stands out is the efforts Ms. Boyle exerted for a 77-year-old homeless gentleman. Through her interactions with the patient, she realized he needed assistance with his health management, housing, and finances once he was discharged. Ms. Boyle was instrumental in assisting the patient with obtaining safe housing after she was told all other means had been exhausted.
When it was announced the patient was medically ready for discharge, Ms. Boyle voiced the patient had nowhere to go but his car. She was told he was on the waiting list for a shelter which would not have availability for several weeks. Ms. Boyle was not comfortable with the patient being discharged to his car so she pursued the issue with anyone who would listen. She researched the internet, called several offices, and was told nothing could be done to assist the patient.
Ms. Boyle finally came across the Fairfax County Office to Prevent and End Homelessness and spoke to the Director. The Director told Ms. Boyle the patient was already on the waiting list and would probably be able to get housing in several weeks due to his place on the list. Ms. Boyle explained to the Director the patient's condition and his need for immediate housing. She informed the Director that the patient was a veteran and would be discharged to his car. She also expressed he had a job and insurance but needed guidance to manage his affairs. The Director informed Ms. Boyle she was not aware the patient was a veteran, and she would change his status in the database which would move him up on the list. The Director also informed. Ms. Boyle the patient would be able to get housing in a couple of days due to his veteran status. Ms. Boyle asked the physician if he would delay the discharge until the Fairfax County Office called back. The physician agreed and when Ms. Boyle went in to tell the patient he could stay, the Bailey's Crossroads Shelter was calling with news the patient could be discharged to their facility that same afternoon.
Due to Ms. Boyle's persistence, the patient was discharged on the day as planned to a safe environment with an assigned Case Manager. Ms. Boyle did not stop there; she called the patient's insurance company and acquired two case managers who assured her they would continue to follow the patient to ensure his health needs were managed. Ms. Boyle is an outstanding role model for the nursing profession; she was definitely a DAISY in this patient's bouquet of problems.