An ICU patient suffered a heart attack and had to undergo open heart surgery. He lost his job during his illness and his wife went back to work at a minimum wage job. This patient was readmitted with a sternal wound infection requiring additional surgery. His chest wound was left open following surgery. He would require additional surgery; transplant of a muscle flap to repair. Due to insurance issues, the patient had to wait for the procedure to be approved. The ICU nurses discovered through the course of his illness that the patient and his wife were struggling financially. The loss of his income had resulted in their falling two months behind on their rent. The patient's wife did not have money to afford to eat while here at the hospital caring for him. This really troubled one nurse in particular, Vivian Stom.
Vivian's husband is the pastor at Friendship Baptist Church and they have a ministry called Kerry's Corner that reaches out to individuals who are in need. Vivian spoke to her husband about a struggling family, without using the patient's name or any health information. Vivian came to me and asked how to go about helping this family and staying compliant with all HIPPA regulations. She spoke with Chaplain J who said we needed to approach the family and ask their permission to give their information to the church, and then document the discussion.
Vivian spoke with the family and they granted permission. Vivian shared the information with her husband, who went to the deacons in their church. They brought the family's rent up to date, and took a love offering up for them. Kerry's Corner also wanted to help and contributed $100 to assist with food or other needs they might have. This patient and his family were so touched by the compassion and concern shown to them. Vivian serves as a true example of Baptist's Mission statement of exemplifying our Christian heritage by helping those in need.