An elderly hospice patient recently arrived at the St. Alexius Medical Center (SAMC) Emergency Department after a traumatic fall which resulted in a spiral fracture of her femur. Our Orthopedics team, due to their clinical expertise and excellent collaboration, was able to set up a plan of care to best meet her complex needs. To effectively stabilize the fracture, the patient required a pin through her tibia with traction; this necessitated a more comprehensive transitional care plan. The family requested that the patient return to Alexian Hospice Residence in Elk Grove Village as this was a place of comfort and familiarity.
Many Hospice facilities are not equipped to accept patients in traction due to the bed set up; however, a creative solution was identified to support effective traction using hanging weights over the footboard of the bed. With this innovative change in plan, it was clear that return to hospice would require additional hospice staff training and education to assure a positive outcome for this patient.
Rick Moy, Orthopedic RN, was enjoying the day off when the call came asking for his help. He immediately volunteered to come to St. Alexius to help the ambulance driver secure the patient's traction and then drove to the hospice residence to help with traction set up. Once the patient was set up in bed with traction in place, Rick stayed to teach the staff how to properly maintain the traction, safely move the patient with traction in place, and provide for the patient's comfort.
Ricks willingness to come to work on his day off to help this patient and spend time educating the hospice staff on how to care for this patient safely was truly a blessing for everyone.