Deloris focuses her efforts on patients and staff having information and the facts.

She had a young woman come in from a nearby clinic with brief loss of vision and now some blurring with headache. This patient was in denial, unable to accept what it might be. This was hard as this patient was a nurse and knows what they are checking for and the patient wanting to leave AMA.

Deloris went to see the patient and she talked for a long time about what needs to be done now. Explaining it bothered you enough to pull off road and go to clinic and it must be important enough to be checked out. Like most mothers and workers this patient doesn't have time. She reported stress at work, no time with her daughter and she needs another job.

Deloris explained this by saying, use this time to step back and see what is important what is the most value to you. Your daughter and mother... Yourself you have to do it for yourself and others but most of all you. If you don't take care of yourself what then happens to others around you?

She was able to talk to this patient and explain what she already knew but needed to hear.. Because of this extra effort, the patient stayed and received treatment. This was a great example of being there for the patient all the way.

Thank you for being a patient advocate!