A patient was admitted to the trauma service with an L1 burst fracture. The neurosurgeon managed her care in the hospital non-surgically. She remained intact neurologically with good pain control. Five days after discharge the patient returned to the trauma clinic with debilitating pain. The neurosurgeon decided that surgical stabilization in the form of a minimally invasive L1 corpectomy with expandable cageplacement/arthrodesiswould be the treatmentof choice. However, because of issues surrounding the patient's insurance along with her indecisiveness, Megan had to spend hours on the phone to obtain authorization for surgery. Megan also spent a great deal of time assuaging the patient's anxiety.
Megan worked for three days on the unusual circumstances surrounding this patient with clear headedness,patience, and a calm compassion. Many would have thrown up their arms after the first hour.
It's situations like these that test one's mettle, Megan is a true patient advocate. The trauma system and Legacy are fortunate to have her as part of the team. We are grateful to her for taking such excellent care of our patients.