While Sandi always provides excellent care, she has been outstanding with one patient in particular. Mr. S has been an Anticoagulation Clinic patient for many years. He is one of those patients that might get lost in the system. He is an older gentleman with poor eyesight, very hard of hearing and has a number of cognitive deficits. He also has no support system because he is estranged from both of his children. Sandi has been having him come to the clinic weekly for years so that she can fill his pillbox with all of his medications so he takes them correctly.
While Sandi was reviewing his chart she realized that he had not seen a PCP in four years or a Cardiologist in five. She was instrumental with getting him an appointment in Family Practice and a referral to Cardiology. She then scheduled the Cardiology appointment and, because Mr. S is a very poor historian, she contacted the Cardiologist and explained the patient's past history and current needs. Sandi then contacted the patient's daughter and asked her to take the patient to the appointment to make sure he made it. She followed up with a reminder letter that she gave to Mr. S and mailed to his daughter.
It is because of her compassionate and comprehensive care for someone who has no other advocate that I nominate Sandi Petek for the DAISY Award.