While a patient was in the O.R. her husband called in to say he needed his wife's
purse. We told him he would have to wait. When the patient did come out of the OR and was more awake he again asked for her purse so we asked her if that was okay.
She was adamant that he could not "my checkbook is in there" and she did
not want him to "touch it". As she progressed in her care the patient was brought to Phase 2 where we usually have family come in. At this time the patient was very hesitant to have her husband visit so Cheryl began
to further question her about whether she felt safe at home. She expressed a feeling of fear and did not want to be discharged to his care. Social Service was called and Cheryl had to work to find another place for the patient to be discharged to. The patient’s spouse was determined to have her come home with him but then said "fine" and left. The sister of the patient came and took her home -she was to spend the weekend there. The patient was given info about the Bridges Victim Advocacy Program prior to her discharge. Several weeks later she came in for more surgery and never said anything till she was post op and said that we made a difference in her life. She was now separated from her husband and never would have had the courage if we didn't help her. Cheryl took the time to look deeper and offer suggestions that may have saved the woman's life.