According to his nominator, on the day before a holiday, Jon Andersen made a routine call to a patient he manages as a care coordinator. The patient had a history of severe anxiety and suicidal tendencies. Andersen called him just prior to the holiday to check on him. "In discussion with the patient, he denied suicidal ideations but shared that he was suffering from significant anxiety related to several stressors," says Andersen's nominator.
Andersen made plans to call the patient again after the holiday. He called him as promised, and the patient reported having passing thoughts of suicide but wasn't actively suicidal. Crisis intervention services were contacted. A plan was developed, and Andersen agreed to call the patient the next day.
"The next day when Andersen called, the patient said he wasn't doing well, and suicide was now an active concern," says the nominator. "Andersen asked him what was keeping him from committing suicide, expecting a reference to his children or parents. Instead, he said, 'You calling.' He had waited for Jon."
The patient agreed to be transported to the Emergency Department for voluntary hospital admission.
"Andersen, quite frankly, very well may have saved this patient's life," says the nominator.