Cathy Liles
August 2014
Catherine
Liles
,
RN, BSN
Magnet Coordinator
Memorial Hermann Katy Hospital
Katy
,
TX
United States

 

 

 

A patient who was discharged from our hospital on 8/24/14 came to the reception desk at 10:00 am. She requested to see someone from DM education to obtain a BG meter as she was discharged from the hospital on a weekend and had not received a BG meter. The Educator from DM education met with the patient for about 30 minutes. Patient began to cry and stated she didn't know exactly when she was discharged from the hospital and didn't know what day it was today. The Educator then came back to the office to see if someone else could talk with this individual because she had a class to teach. Cathy volunteered to assist.

Cathy sat with the patient while she told her she had numerous medical problems as well as financial problems. Patient stated she was working with clinics, physicians and attorneys to get benefits but at this time she had very limited money. She also stated her car was having problems as well as her cell phone but she didn't have enough money to have either repaired. She stated she was about to be evicted from her home. She stated she didn't know if she could handle all of this anymore and that she had no one to help her. She also stated she had labs drawn this morning and was fasting. The patient was encouraged to go to the ER, but patient was reluctant saying she didn't have the money and didn't want to be a burden to anyone.

Cathy stayed with the patient, called Case Management and requested assistance but the director and the case manager who had worked with the patient during her hospitalization were not available. Cathy sat with the patient in the lobby, talked with her and consoled her for two hours. She took the patient to the cafeteria to feed her lunch and sent her home with food. I think Cathy showed an enormous amount of compassion towards this former patient. She showed concern and went above and beyond by making sure this patient was safe, had a friendly ear to listen to her, and give her some re-assurance during her time of uncertainty. Cathy deserves the DAISY Award for being such a good nurse, compassionate friend, and caring individual.