Erica DiPascale
May 2021
Erica
Dipascale
,
BSN, RN, CMSRN
4NW, Neurosciences
Virtua Memorial Hospital
Mount Holly
,
NJ
United States
Erica took the groceries the patient had bought for his wife and hand-delivered them her at home.
The 4NW team at Memorial knows the patient well, as he frequents the unit often. At times, the patient’s personality could be quite challenging, but he had taken a liking to Erica DiPascale, and the patient had grown on her. Erica proudly lives in the community in which she services and often encounters our patients out in the community. One morning, Erica had plans, but on her way out of town, she stopped at a local grocery store. She found the patient collecting groceries that had fallen out of his bag. She quickly sprang into action to help him pick up his items. She realized he was not himself as he dropped to the ground.
When admitted, the patient is always experiencing the same symptoms of hypoglycemia. Erica immediately asked him if he had eaten that day, which she already knew his answer would be “no”. She noticed an audible wheeze and had the local rescue squad called. Once the patient realized he was taking a trip to the ED, he expressed concern about his wife, who would be arriving home from dialysis any minute. Erica took the groceries the patient had bought for his wife and hand-delivered them her at home. To ease anxiety, Erica explained the situation to the patient's wife. Despite the patient's noncompliance, Erica felt as though it was her duty to intervene. She sacrificed her plans to respond to a community need. Erica worked the following day and safely discharged the patient back into the community.
When admitted, the patient is always experiencing the same symptoms of hypoglycemia. Erica immediately asked him if he had eaten that day, which she already knew his answer would be “no”. She noticed an audible wheeze and had the local rescue squad called. Once the patient realized he was taking a trip to the ED, he expressed concern about his wife, who would be arriving home from dialysis any minute. Erica took the groceries the patient had bought for his wife and hand-delivered them her at home. To ease anxiety, Erica explained the situation to the patient's wife. Despite the patient's noncompliance, Erica felt as though it was her duty to intervene. She sacrificed her plans to respond to a community need. Erica worked the following day and safely discharged the patient back into the community.