Sandra Tucker has been a member of our team for eleven years. During this time, she has consistently given her patients the highest level of care. She is a great and willing resource to co-workers and is a strong patient advocate.
Sandra was assigned to assist with the care of an elderly man who was to have a peg tube placed. While interviewing the patient, she learned that the patient had been in the OR for an EGD the previous day and the results of the scope had shown an inoperable tumor that was obstructing his upper airway, thus preventing him from passing his swallow study. As a result, he had been referred to general surgery for peg tube placement.
The patient told Sandra that he didn't want the peg tube, he just wanted to be discharged so that he could go see his wife who was in hospice care. Sandra shared the patient's desire to be discharged with the surgeon. The surgeon met with the patient and explained all options, and it was agreed to cancel peg tube placement. The patient was discharged and admitted to hospice in the same facility his wife was receiving care.
I believe this is a great example of being a patient advocate. Sandra went above and beyond to make sure the patient's wishes were heard by the health care team, which allowed the man to do the one thing he truly wanted, which was to be with his wife.