After a fall at home, my sister and I made the journey to the Methodist West Emergency Department where we met our nurse 'angel', Elizabeth. After x-rays of her ribs indicated they were not broken but badly bruised, the emergency room doctor recommended that once she was stabilized we could return home and follow-up with her primary care provider on Monday.
As Elizabeth and her tech continued to stabilize my sister and prepare her for a return trip home, the pain for my sister continued and she was not improving. Elizabeth came out and talked to me and said that in all good conscience, she could not send my sister home. She went back to the providers and suggested my sister be admitted. Elizabeth's 'angelic' recommendation was agreed upon by the hospitalist and my sister was admitted. I have no doubt that Elizabeth saved my sister from a return trip to the ED, most likely that same day. Had Elizabeth not sought to admit my sister for the necessary care, she would not have received the follow-up therapy she needed.