ED RN Maegan Clapp was tending to a patient who presented with chest pain. The patient had an EKG and labs done and was recommended for admission for further workup.
The patient did not want to stay due to childcare issues, stating she had no one to pick-up her child from school or care for them during her admission. The patient wanted to sign out AMA. While Maegan was preparing the AMA paperwork and was at bedside explaining the paperwork to the patient the patient started complaining of increased severe chest pain. Maegan was not comfortable sending the patient out with increased chest pain and encouraged the patient to allow her to do another EKG prior to the patient leaving.
The second EKG was done and it was determined the patient was having an AMI, and needed an emergent cath. The patient was extremely anxious in regards to her child, and Maegan sought out social workers help to intervene with the patient to ensure that we could make arrangements for her child. After much discussion and reassurance, the childcare issue was taken care of and the patient went for her heart cath.
Due to Maegan's diligence and instinct, this could have potentially saved this woman's life.