Sandy Madsen
February 2023
Sandy
Madsen
,
BSN, RN
Home Health
Hillsboro Medical Center, Formerly Tuality Healthcare
Hillsboro
,
OR
United States

 

 

 

Sandy patiently continued working with him. She treated him with the utmost respect at all times.
Sandy has case managed a particularly complex patient since January 2020. He has mental and physical issues that require a lot of skill to manage. The patient is a diabetic who originally came on service with a foot wound. He did not have his medications; has short term memory issues. His blood sugar was out of control and his housing situation was unstable. He frequently became agitated and angry with the staff. It was not uncommon for him to call the office and yell at whoever answered the phone. Many nurses would have given up. But Sandy hung in there with him. She reached out to doctors, clinics, transportation services, social work, lifeworks, coworkers, APS, and more to advocate on his behalf. When his eyesight got so bad he couldn't see to take his medications, she worked with him to create a Ziplock bag and mediset combo system that allowed him to take his pills. It was apparent that this patient needed a higher level of care, but he repeatedly blocked potential placements. Sandy patiently continued working with him. She treated him with the utmost respect at all times. After nearly 3 years of work -this week he became a resident at an intermediate care facility! He contacted Sandy to let her know that he is happy there. Sandy (and many of her coworkers) went above and beyond for this patient on a regular basis. She is truly deserving of recognition.