Kathryn Cialkowski
May 2023
Kathryn
Cialkowski
,
MSN, RN, CNL
Ambulatory Oncology
University of Chicago Medicine
Chicago
,
IL
United States

 

 

 

Kate was later told that if the patient had not been contacted when he was, his medical condition could have deteriorated rapidly. Thanks to Kate, he recovered well.
I was in clinic working with Kate Cialkowski one day. During that time, she found out that one of her patients had not arrived for his daily radiation. This was very unlike him. She tried to call him on the phone but did not receive a response. This was also not in character for the patient. Not only did she attempt to call him again, but she also tried to get in touch with his sister without luck. Thinking the worst, she then called the patient’s local police to request a wellness check on the patient. The police went to the patient’s house and called Kate when they arrived. When police initially tried to reach the patient via doorbell, there was no answer. After a third time, the police were able to get the patient to open the door. The patient was very confused which was brought on by his treatment with chemotherapy and radiation. He was brought to a local ER and was admitted. Kate was later told that if the patient had not been contacted when he was, his medical condition could have deteriorated rapidly. Thanks to Kate, he recovered well. We now see him at regular intervals as part of our surveillance program for patients who have completed chemotherapy and radiation.