April 2018
Connie
Smeds
,
RN
GI
Kaiser Permanente Santa Rosa Medical Center
Santa Rosa
,
CA
United States
This inspiring journey started January 2018, when our department received a referral for the patient due to abdominal pain and anemia. Patient has multiple severe psychiatric issues, narcotic addiction, and homelessness. The patient was scheduled different dates which resulted in multiple cancellations due to ED admissions, the patient's inability to tolerate prescribed prep and the patient's socioeconomic barriers. Based on the patient's clinical symptoms, Connie recognized that the patient was a high risk and started coordinating care with ED social workers, Coumadin Clinic, and pharmacy. It was at least a 3-month tireless pursuit and Connie managed to coordinate free ambulance transportation, identify a preparation medication that was more tolerable by the patient, managed blood thinner with Coumadin Clinic for safety and never got annoyed answering repeated questions from the patient and the homeless shelter. The patient was again scheduled for her procedures. After her long day at work, Connie bought the over the counter prep medications with her own money and personally delivered it to the homeless shelter where the patient is a resident. Connie voluntarily did this to ensure that patient will be properly prepped for her procedure. I am deeply humbled by Connie's motivation, perseverance, and patient advocacy. I have been a nurse for nearly 20 years, but this is the first time I have felt the purest true compassion.