We are required to ask every patient when they come in, "Do you feel safe in your home?" On this day, a patient responded "no." She was here with her boyfriend. The admitting nurse asked if she would like to speak with Social Services and she said no. When the circulator came back to get the patient for her procedure she had heard that the patient reported not feeling safe. She also observed bruises on her. Debbie sat down with the patient and said, "I've lived this ife and there is life after this. We can help you. If not today, we will be here tomorrow and every day after that. Can we call social services for you?"

Debbie and the patient hugged and cried and she agreed to Social Services intervention. Murphysboro PD was called. The patient was taken out the front and the boyfriend was left in the waiting room. It was arranged to have the police at her apartment waiting in case the boyfriend decided to show up. The police explained the situation to the boyfriend who was now stranded at St Joes. The nurses decided to all chip in for a cab just to get the guy out of here. I am so proud of Debbie. She may have saved a life that day.