Kimberly Clarke, RN

During a very high acuity, very busy day in the acute care setting, VCU Tappahannock Med-Surg had a patient being discharged with IV antibiotic therapy. The Care Coordination team spent several days coordinating care with home infusions and Home Health teams, trying to secure services for administration education, but was met with many obstacles. The Home Health agency did not have availability for several days, and the patient resides outside the service area for the RN Liaison with the infusion company to assist with education.

Additional Home Health agency options were explored and declined for various reasons. As a Home Health and Acute Med-surg RN, Kim was able to recognize her patient's concerns, her need for additional education, and the high acuity of the unit. Kim responded by coming in on her day off just to provide very thorough education at the bedside for the patient and her spouse so she could be discharged on schedule. In doing so, Kim prevented a delay in discharge and, most importantly, instilled a sense of trust in the nursing care our hospital provides while demonstrating compassion. I happened to walk in during the teaching session, and the patient I had observed, very concerned and anxious, was smiling and very calm. The patient was very complimentary of her stay at VCU Tappahannock, and witnessing this made me proud to be a part of this team.