As Stephanie was leaving to go home, she noticed a young man by the elevators looking around slightly confused. She stopped and asked him if he was okay and if she could help him. He answered her with some quick one or two words “goldfish tank, train”. He began walking quickly down the hall away from the elevators. It was obvious to Stephanie that this young man had some special needs and needed help. She called out to him to wait, but he didn’t so she followed him. Stephanie tried to engage the young man to see if she could get any information.

Stephanie alerted our Charge RN and me all while keeping up with the young man. While he was still moving (very quickly), she checked for arm bands, IVs and visitor badge. He had none. It wasn’t until she knew public safety was on the floor and the young man was taken care of that she left. It turned out that some other hospital employees had seen this young man before Stephanie, yet she was the one to recognize he needed help and made sure he received it. It turned out; this young man was reported missing from Illinois a few hours prior. If Stephanie had not stopped and asked if this man needed help, his family and loved ones would have continued to be worried and the young man may not have remained safe.