Tammy Clines, RN, is a nurse leader on the inpatient mental health unit at VHSO. Her dedication and attention to detail ensure our unit always has a safe patient care environment. She constantly strives to provide the best care possible for our veterans.

During a recent shift, after the shift change report, Ms. Clines noticed that one of the patients who was admitted to the unit the previous evening had a documented allergy to sodium fluoride. She realized that the toothpaste that is issued to patients on admission contains 22% sodium fluoride. Ms. Clines immediately went to the patient, who had just finished breakfast, and verified that they had not used the toothpaste in their room. She then confiscated the toothpaste and reported the close call to the nurse managers.

A Joint Patient Safety Report was entered, and management contacted logistics, only to find that the facility does not stock a fluoride-free toothpaste. Ms. Clines then contacted the patient's spouse, who was able to bring a fluoride-free toothpaste from home for the patient to use. Management submitted Ms. Clines’ great catch to our facility's patient safety team for local recognition.

This is just one example of Ms. Clines' excellent care. She puts this effort and attention to detail into every patient interaction, ensuring that all the patients who come to Inpatient Mental Health receive the highest quality of care.