March 2022
Michael
Tiongson
,
BSN, RN
11 SA, Medicine Stepdown
New York Presbyterian Hospital/Weill Cornell Medical Center
Manhattan
,
NY
United States
Michael instinctively followed the patient down 11 flights of stairs to the basement, through and around the ambulance bay, and down the long driveway to the circle at the entrance of the hospital.
We recently had a challenging patient on 11 South A for approximately a month. The patient had intermittent periods of agitation, aggression, and violence, throwing furniture, water pitchers, and other items in the room. The patient was intermittently on a security watch and security called multiple times to assist during challenging episodes of aggressive behavior. One day, the patient became upset hearing discharge continues to be on hold. The patient threatened to leave multiple times and started pacing and walking briskly on the unit and down the corridor to 11 South B. Although the patient often paced and walked around 11SA and 11SB, Michael recognized this was different and followed the patient closely. Suddenly and without warning, the patient lunged through the exit doors on 11SB aiming to escape. Knowing the gravity of the situation, Michael instinctively followed the patient down 11 flights of stairs to the basement, through and around the ambulance bay, and down the long driveway to the circle at the entrance of the hospital. During this stressful time, Michael also calmly called the PCD and let him know his location from moment to moment while talking with the patient, de-escalating, and keeping the patient and others safe from harm. I met Michael and the patient with multiple security guards on York Avenue between 68th and 67th Street. The patient was safe, a wheelchair was brought by a security guard and the patient was brought safely back to his room on 11 South A. Michael’s quick thinking and decision-making were pivotal, staying with the patient, maintaining composure, ensuring open communication, and keeping the patient and others safe and free from harm.