A postoperative delivery c-section mother called her doctor’s office regarding her incision. The doctor’s office was only open till 4:00 that day and could not see her. The office stated that she could go to the hospital if she thought her incision was infected. The mother did indeed come to the hospital and walked back to OB where she was informed that she would need to sign in and be seen in the emergency room. This patient became very tearful and stated she just wanted someone to look at her incision; she still had a tummy and could not see the incision. She was uncomfortable, tired and she did not want to sit in the emergency room for several hours.

Alayne Wells talked with the patient, took her into a room where she explained to the patient that she would take a look but if it was red or had any signs of infection she would need to be seen in the emergency room. Alayne checked the site and with no signs of infection, she instructed the patient on how to check the incision with a mirror, look for redness, drainage and check her temperature if she felt warm. The patient said that she had been told this before discharge but that she had forgotten. The patient was so relieved that her incision was not infected.

This tearful patient was smiling and thankful for the compassion that Alayne had shown her.