Shelby F Butcher
August 2022
Shelby
Butcher
,
RN, BSN
SIP General Surgery
IU Health Southern Indiana Physicians
Bloomington
,
IN
United States
Shelby then took it upon herself to contact the director of social work in the hospital and see if there was any assistance that could be given due to the significant cost that this would take.
Shelby had a patient that was discharged from the hospital with bed bugs. The patient called our general surgery outpatient office to schedule a follow-up appointment. The patient notified our staff that she had bed bugs and the staff member came to Shelby to see what to do. The patient needed her post-op appointment as soon as possible.
Shelby took the time to talk with the patient, and read through the entire inpatient chart trying to find any documentation if the patient was treated and or had the appropriate home care treatment needed. After many hours, and multiple phone calls, Shelby found that the patient had not been treated appropriately. Shelby then took it upon herself to contact the director of social work in the hospital and see if there was any assistance that could be given due to the significant cost that this would take. Shelby called and arranged to have an exterminator go to the patient's home with their consent to evaluate the situation. It was reported back to Shelby that due to the extreme conditions the patient and family would have to stay outside the residence while being treated. The patient reported back to Shelby that they lived in the country and had no neighbors or family nearby that they could stay with. Shelby continued to work diligently and continued to find resources to resolve all the issues. Shelby was able to seek and get approval for grant money from the hospital foundation to help support the cleaning and the lodging that was desperately needed to help make sure that this issue was resolved. Shelby also worked on developing a plan while the patient was being treated in the office to assure that the patient was cared for without delay and that the staff was in appropriate PPE. The measures that Shelby went to were above and beyond and exemplified the values within the IU Health organization.
Not only that, Shelby didn't think twice to do what she stated: "was the right thing to do." This touched the heart of the patient and the patient's husband, they were so emotionally overwhelmed and thankful for the kindness that Shelby displayed. This is an example of why I became a nurse and makes me remember exactly the reason why I chose to enter into the profession. It isn't always about saving a life, giving medications, or assisting with procedures, it's about the impact you can have on others.
Shelby took the time to talk with the patient, and read through the entire inpatient chart trying to find any documentation if the patient was treated and or had the appropriate home care treatment needed. After many hours, and multiple phone calls, Shelby found that the patient had not been treated appropriately. Shelby then took it upon herself to contact the director of social work in the hospital and see if there was any assistance that could be given due to the significant cost that this would take. Shelby called and arranged to have an exterminator go to the patient's home with their consent to evaluate the situation. It was reported back to Shelby that due to the extreme conditions the patient and family would have to stay outside the residence while being treated. The patient reported back to Shelby that they lived in the country and had no neighbors or family nearby that they could stay with. Shelby continued to work diligently and continued to find resources to resolve all the issues. Shelby was able to seek and get approval for grant money from the hospital foundation to help support the cleaning and the lodging that was desperately needed to help make sure that this issue was resolved. Shelby also worked on developing a plan while the patient was being treated in the office to assure that the patient was cared for without delay and that the staff was in appropriate PPE. The measures that Shelby went to were above and beyond and exemplified the values within the IU Health organization.
Not only that, Shelby didn't think twice to do what she stated: "was the right thing to do." This touched the heart of the patient and the patient's husband, they were so emotionally overwhelmed and thankful for the kindness that Shelby displayed. This is an example of why I became a nurse and makes me remember exactly the reason why I chose to enter into the profession. It isn't always about saving a life, giving medications, or assisting with procedures, it's about the impact you can have on others.