January 2024
Leah R
Bierer
,
RN
6W
VA Pittsburgh Healthcare System
Pittsburgh
,
PA
United States
After multiple calls and over 3 hours of phone conversations between both Leahs talking to the patient and expressing their compassion, empathy, caring, and encouraging the patient to seek help from the VA, the patient changed his mind about his plan.
At the start of the morning shift, Leah Bierer answered the phone, not knowing she was answering a call from a patient who was expressing suicidal ideation. The patient had the desire and plan to fulfill his thoughts. Leah Bierer was caring, expressing her compassion, and attentively listening to the patient. While all this was happening, Leah Cesaretti jumped into action by calling the appropriate personnel to do a wellness check on this patient. The patient hung up the phone but Leah B was not giving up on the patient. She called him back and continued to talk to him, ensuring that she cared and was available for the patient. The patient continuously hung up on her but both Leahs continued to take turns calling the patient, ensuring the patient that each one was available and wanted to talk with him. Leah C took it upon herself to notify his wife, who was unaware that her husband was currently on the phone talking to Leah B about his plan. Leah C was assured by the wife that the patient did not have access to firearms and that they were locked up. After multiple calls and over 3 hours of phone conversations between both Leahs talking to the patient and expressing their compassion, empathy, caring, and encouraging the patient to seek help from the VA, the patient changed his mind about his plan. He knew he had a rapport with both ladies and could trust them because they cared and listened to his concerns. I believe if it had not been for these two ladies, things could have ended differently for the patient. Leah B had just completed a 12-hour night shift and stayed a 16-hour shift for this patient. Leah C was coming on, in charge and demonstrated her leadership skills that can be modeled by all staff at VAPHS. Both of these RNs demonstrated the ICARE principles of VAPHS and deserved to be recognized with the DAISY Award. Thank you for your compassionate service to the Vietnam Vet.