Monica DeGroot
August 2021
Monica
Degroot
,
RN
Heart Failure Clinic
Ascension All Saints
Racine
,
WI
United States
She identified that the patient was severely depressed. Monica was so concerned about this patient that she contacted the Racine Police Department to make a welfare call to his home.
In addition to her extraordinary service as CHF nurse for inpatients, Monica follows up with patients once they are home. I’ve been working with Monica for many years now and have always been impressed with her caring attitude, especially toward our less supported patients who have returned to the community. She has been an integral part of the MIH (Mobile Integrated Health) program which coordinated care with Racine Fire and Rescue and has often come to me with serious concerns about patients' well-being in the community. Instead of only providing her necessary services, she always has gone above and beyond to advocate for patients who have no other support.
She continues in the role of patient advocate and recently came to me with serious concerns about a patient who was discharged to home days before. Monica did her normal follow-up call to this patient and during her conversation identified that the patient hadn’t been taking his medication since he returned home. She also identified that the patient was severely depressed. Monica was so concerned about this patient that she contacted the Racine Police Department to make a wellfare call to his home. She also brought the situation to my attention so that I could call in a referral to Adult Protective Services. The day after this happened, Monica discovered that the police made a welfare visit to the patient’s home, and when they arrived the patient was holding a knife to his neck. Law enforcement was able to safely bring the patient into the emergency room to get the care that he needed.
If it wasn’t for Monica’s concern and compassion for others and for her strong advocacy for our patients, this situation could have ended very badly. I would like to recognize Monica for her dedication to her work and to the patients we serve. Monica made a difference that I will never forget. Thank you very much.
She continues in the role of patient advocate and recently came to me with serious concerns about a patient who was discharged to home days before. Monica did her normal follow-up call to this patient and during her conversation identified that the patient hadn’t been taking his medication since he returned home. She also identified that the patient was severely depressed. Monica was so concerned about this patient that she contacted the Racine Police Department to make a wellfare call to his home. She also brought the situation to my attention so that I could call in a referral to Adult Protective Services. The day after this happened, Monica discovered that the police made a welfare visit to the patient’s home, and when they arrived the patient was holding a knife to his neck. Law enforcement was able to safely bring the patient into the emergency room to get the care that he needed.
If it wasn’t for Monica’s concern and compassion for others and for her strong advocacy for our patients, this situation could have ended very badly. I would like to recognize Monica for her dedication to her work and to the patients we serve. Monica made a difference that I will never forget. Thank you very much.