Sena was caring for a patient and upon taking the patient a cup of water, noticed that the patient was making a strange/concerning gesture. The patient had a blanket over her head and body and made a pointing gesture toward her boyfriend who was sitting across the room. Sena sensed something was not right and that the patient was unable to tell her without the boyfriend's awareness. Sena still unsure of what the patient was attempting to convey, nodded to let the patient know that she understood that she needed something.

Sena notified security of the encounter. As the patient was discharged, a watchful eye allowed the opportunity to separate the patient from her boyfriend so that the patient could verbalize what she couldn't say in her room. The patient shared that she did not want to go home with her boyfriend and that she had been held captive by him and was being verbally, physically, and sexually abused. The patient stated she was not permitted to leave or have contact with outside parties.

The patient stated, "I was praying that someone would pick up on a signal." The patient was kept safe until law enforcement arrived. The observation, concern, and compassion that Sena had to pick up on such a subtle "cry for help" probably saved this patient from additional abuse or possibly worse.