February 2018
Shelly
Rice
,
RN
ICU
Mercy Health - Fairfield Heart Hospital
Fairfield
,
OH
United States
I have known Shelly Rice for over 25 years and worked alongside her and watched her compassion and kind treatment to those that have mental health challenges. She is one who is always there to stand up for or help provide for the those that are our most vulnerable population.
On a very cold day in January, this unit had an adult male patient that wanted to leave against medical advice. He had a history of schizophrenia and was admitted with respiratory issues. Shelly ensured that proper procedure was followed, and the doctor advised. The doctor felt that this patient was able to make this decision for himself even if it was not the best decision. Shelly tried to convince the patient to stay with no success and he told her he had called a cab.
Shelly called the patient's Aunt who was contact and POA. The Aunt was understandably upset and frustrated yelling through the phone. Shelly kept her cool and explained the situation. The Aunt stated she would come when she could.
By this point, Shelly is with the patient in the lobby knowing not to anger him or try to physically stop him but keep him safe by talking and staying with him. She calls me (as her manager) to seek guidance; she is unsure if the taxi was called or when the Aunt would arrive. He is wanting to go to the ED waiting area that is full of patients with probable flu and then states he will just walk home. Shelly is so kind as she tells him it is too cold to walk, and he does not want to hang out in the waiting room with those sick. We decide to call the cab for him and she convinces him to return to this unit and wait for it to arrive.
Once the cab arrives Shelly wheels him down there. A few minutes later the cab driver calls her to say that the patient became upset after talking with his Aunt on the phone and insisted on being dropped at McDonald's. This cab driver was also worried about the patient.
Shelly then calls the Aunt who tells Shelly that she now had her nephew; she had picked him up at McDonald's. Shelly calls the cab company and asked them to notify the driver that he was now safe with his Aunt; the owner was so appreciative of the call. He stated he had been called about the incident and had just come in to investigate. The owner said they valued their relationship with Mercy and cared about our patients here.
Shelly's kindness and quick thinking kept this patient and staff safe as well maintained a good working relationship with one of our business partners.
On a very cold day in January, this unit had an adult male patient that wanted to leave against medical advice. He had a history of schizophrenia and was admitted with respiratory issues. Shelly ensured that proper procedure was followed, and the doctor advised. The doctor felt that this patient was able to make this decision for himself even if it was not the best decision. Shelly tried to convince the patient to stay with no success and he told her he had called a cab.
Shelly called the patient's Aunt who was contact and POA. The Aunt was understandably upset and frustrated yelling through the phone. Shelly kept her cool and explained the situation. The Aunt stated she would come when she could.
By this point, Shelly is with the patient in the lobby knowing not to anger him or try to physically stop him but keep him safe by talking and staying with him. She calls me (as her manager) to seek guidance; she is unsure if the taxi was called or when the Aunt would arrive. He is wanting to go to the ED waiting area that is full of patients with probable flu and then states he will just walk home. Shelly is so kind as she tells him it is too cold to walk, and he does not want to hang out in the waiting room with those sick. We decide to call the cab for him and she convinces him to return to this unit and wait for it to arrive.
Once the cab arrives Shelly wheels him down there. A few minutes later the cab driver calls her to say that the patient became upset after talking with his Aunt on the phone and insisted on being dropped at McDonald's. This cab driver was also worried about the patient.
Shelly then calls the Aunt who tells Shelly that she now had her nephew; she had picked him up at McDonald's. Shelly calls the cab company and asked them to notify the driver that he was now safe with his Aunt; the owner was so appreciative of the call. He stated he had been called about the incident and had just come in to investigate. The owner said they valued their relationship with Mercy and cared about our patients here.
Shelly's kindness and quick thinking kept this patient and staff safe as well maintained a good working relationship with one of our business partners.