...Jan made extraordinary and relentless efforts to see that one of our patients received what he needed to go home safely. Our patient spoke Mandarin as a primary language with limited understanding of English. While setting up discharge for this patient Jan realized that this patient was ordered to go home on insulin that was a new med for him. She advocated for this patient as Dr. B had written a discharge order and made her aware that he needed education on this new med. Jan explained to Dr. B that she did not feel comfortable sending him home not knowing how to give himself this med and what signs and symptoms to look for concerning hypoglycemia. The nurse caring for this patient and Jan utilized the language line to communicate with him and this was not completely effective due to the translator not being able to understand him.

Jan was very worried and came to me wondering what else could we do? We reached out to Dr. N, who also speaks Mandarin, to assist with instruction. In addition, Jan made sure his meds were available at Wal-Mart (pharmacy he uses) and that his wife had a ride to go and pick them up and understood this. She communicated with the patient's son who lives out of state, the health department related to a condition they would be following upon discharge, and Dr. N who graciously assisted with some translation, and made sure discharge education instructions were available in Mandarin for him.

Jan went above and beyond in making sure this patient's discharge needs were addressed so that he would leave here and be prepared and safe in his post hospital care. Jan frequently goes above and beyond for our patients!