We have a majority of patients at our unit come daily for antibiotic infusions. Mr. A was one of our daily antibiotic infusion patients. He has a complex health history. One day he arrived via wheelchair with shortness of breath, "chilling" sensation, and shallow breathing; vital signs were stable except his temperature started to go up. The patient is Filipino and Nancy, who is also Filipino, was working that day. Even though he was not her patient, she went into his room to try and convince the patient and his wife to go to the ER for evaluation and possible treatment because she did not feel he should go home.
Nancy spent time with the couple speaking to them in their native language - Tagalog explaining her concerns. Finally, after 20 minutes, Nancy got the agreement from the wife. Nancy called the ED charge nurse and explained the patient's condition and that she suspected sepsis as the underlining situation due to his complicated health history. The ED was full (at capacity) but Nancy was able to work with the ED charge nurse to accept Mr. A.
Mr. A ended up being admitted to a medical unit and was later transferred to the Critical Care Unit as his condition worsened. If it had not been for Nancy not willing to accept the fact that the patient wanted to go home and that the ER was full, the patient would not be here today with his family. Nancy's nursing expertise, experience, and caring for all patients allowed her to not accept the situation, but to advocate for the patient, even though he was not under her direct care that day. She went above and beyond her duty in helping the patient to be sure he had continuous care that was needed.