Kristi Ridgell
June 2021
Kristi
Ridgell
,
RN
IMC
Carroll Hospital Center
Westminster
,
MD
United States
Kristi's attention to her patients and spending the time to follow up the next day avoided a possible decompensation or worsening of the patient's condition.
Kristi had a patient who was being discharged home with home oxygen. The patient had wanted to drive himself home, which was not advised by the Doctor. Kristi arranged a ride home with a friend of the patient, someone to pick up the patient's vehicle, and made sure his medications were sent to the pharmacy for ease of pick up, and also went home with oxygen supplies. She discussed and educated the patient on the use of all equipment and that he cannot be without oxygen at this time, and that he should not be driving.
The next day Kristi took the time to call the patient to follow up. When he answered the phone, Kristi could tell that he was having difficulty breathing. The patient said that he was in the bathroom and had not taken the oxygen with him. She told the patient to hang up and call 911. She followed up within 10 minutes and the EMS crew was at the door. Kristi's attention to her patients and spending the time to follow up the next day avoided a possible decompensation or worsening of the patient's condition. This allowed him to receive the interventions that he needed. The patient was re-educated by EMS on oxygen use in the home. This meant that he did not have to be transported back to the hospital again, allowing him to stay at this home safely. Kristi should be commended for following up the day after discharge to make sure that the patient was following discharge instructions and intervened when she could tell he was in distress.
The next day Kristi took the time to call the patient to follow up. When he answered the phone, Kristi could tell that he was having difficulty breathing. The patient said that he was in the bathroom and had not taken the oxygen with him. She told the patient to hang up and call 911. She followed up within 10 minutes and the EMS crew was at the door. Kristi's attention to her patients and spending the time to follow up the next day avoided a possible decompensation or worsening of the patient's condition. This allowed him to receive the interventions that he needed. The patient was re-educated by EMS on oxygen use in the home. This meant that he did not have to be transported back to the hospital again, allowing him to stay at this home safely. Kristi should be commended for following up the day after discharge to make sure that the patient was following discharge instructions and intervened when she could tell he was in distress.