August 2023
Amanda
Las
,
RN
HBPC
Clement J. Zablocki VA Medical Center
Milwaukee
,
WI
United States
Looking back, if Amanda didn’t double check to make sure that medication went out and he went the entire weekend with a high potassium, she may have saved his life.
Amanda is a case manager in Home Based Primary Care (HBPC). The Team noted that [the Veteran’s] potassium was high. The NP and pharmacist were involved in getting the Veteran much needed medications. In HBPC, a lot of our Veterans are homebound, and medications need to be mailed to them; this can impede care. Amanda called the Vet to let him know [about the new med] and gave him instructions on how to take it, side effects, etc. At this point, the team felt that the Vet was all set. Later in the day, Amanda thought to double-check and make sure his meds went out priority mail. When she checked, she noted that the medication was on back order, and he wouldn’t get the medications as planned. This, of course, was a Friday, and she was worried about him going the entire weekend without the medication; she was also aware of the potential side effects of hyperkalemia. She went to her team NP and pharmacist to come up with a plan. The Vet ended up having to come into the ED to be treated. Looking back, if Amanda didn’t double check to make sure that medication went out and he went the entire weekend with a high potassium, she may have saved his life. Amanda cares for her Vets and treats them like her own family. She is a great addition to the HBPC and we are lucky to have her.