Allison Chang
January 2024
Allison
Chang
,
RN
5SW
Froedtert Memorial Lutheran Hospital
Milwaukee
,
WI
United States
Allison spent hours on the phone with our providers, the IT department, the VA’s mental health clinic, and the patient to set up two virtual therapy appointments.
The week after the 4th of July, I received a phone call from Allison. She was looking for a phone number to coordinate a resource for her patient. When I returned the call, she said she figured it out, but if I could follow up on a few things the following day, that would be great.
As Allison began sharing what was needed, it was clear she went ABOVE AND BEYOND for her patient. Allison was caring for a veteran with severe PTSD, and he was here for a spine infection. The fireworks leading up to and on the 4th of July were significantly triggering for him. All he wanted was to speak to his established therapist versus our trauma psych team. The only problem was he did not have a smartphone, his laptop was at home, and our facility’s virtual visit applications were not compatible. His wife was also not planning to visit from upper Michigan until the following week. At this point, most people would just stop troubleshooting - not Allison.
Instead, Allison spent hours on the phone with our providers, the IT department, the VA’s mental health clinic, and the patient to set up two virtual therapy appointments. All the information for his plan of care was placed in a care coordination flag to ensure her fellow staff RNs knew the plan. The next day, it was clear he would need a procedure, so his wife and kids came earlier than planned with his laptop. He was able to successfully have the mental health support he needed later in the week.
When I called the clinic to cancel his first appointment due to it conflicting with his OR time, the receptionist remembered Allison. She responded, “Wow, you all truly care. I remember her! She was so concerned for him and wanted to make sure he got the care he needed. I don’t know anyone that would go that extra step. She is so dedicated. Can you please make sure she is recognized?” So here I am, sharing the exceptional, individualized care Allison provided. She is well deserving of the DAISY Award.
As Allison began sharing what was needed, it was clear she went ABOVE AND BEYOND for her patient. Allison was caring for a veteran with severe PTSD, and he was here for a spine infection. The fireworks leading up to and on the 4th of July were significantly triggering for him. All he wanted was to speak to his established therapist versus our trauma psych team. The only problem was he did not have a smartphone, his laptop was at home, and our facility’s virtual visit applications were not compatible. His wife was also not planning to visit from upper Michigan until the following week. At this point, most people would just stop troubleshooting - not Allison.
Instead, Allison spent hours on the phone with our providers, the IT department, the VA’s mental health clinic, and the patient to set up two virtual therapy appointments. All the information for his plan of care was placed in a care coordination flag to ensure her fellow staff RNs knew the plan. The next day, it was clear he would need a procedure, so his wife and kids came earlier than planned with his laptop. He was able to successfully have the mental health support he needed later in the week.
When I called the clinic to cancel his first appointment due to it conflicting with his OR time, the receptionist remembered Allison. She responded, “Wow, you all truly care. I remember her! She was so concerned for him and wanted to make sure he got the care he needed. I don’t know anyone that would go that extra step. She is so dedicated. Can you please make sure she is recognized?” So here I am, sharing the exceptional, individualized care Allison provided. She is well deserving of the DAISY Award.