April 2024
Missi
Shultz
,
RN
LDRP
Hutchinson Regional Medical Center
Hutchinson
,
KS
United States

 

 

 

Missi identified countless red flags that this patient and her children were in significant danger, and quickly pulled in several resources within the healthcare team to investigate the situation further.
A patient came in to deliver her baby and had a significant language and cultural barrier to the care typically provided in our area. These differences made it difficult to communicate a plan of care, not to mention a barrier to the emotional support and consolation that is so vital to L&D patients. Missi had this patient for her delivery and 2 days postpartum, and did all that she could to ensure that the patient felt safe and cared for. She worked hard to identify the specific language that the patient spoke, and advocated that all staff involved with her care use this specific language via an interpreter in order to make the patient feel as comfortable and understood as possible. After the patient was able to communicate for herself, it was obvious that she started to let her guard down and began speaking about her situation. Missi identified countless red flags that this patient and her children were in significant danger, and quickly pulled in several resources within the healthcare team to further investigate the situation. She spent countless hours on the phone with forensic nursing, social work, resources in the community, and the patient and newborn's providers to coordinate a safe plan for discharge for the patient. She even went as far as calling local pediatricians to ensure that the patient's toddler would be able to receive care as well. When the patient initially arrived to the unit and these warning signs were identified, it did not seem like there was any way that this patient and her children would have a good outcome. However ,due to Missi's constant drive to provide compassionate care and advocate for her patients, the patient and her children were discharged to a safe environment where they were set up with all the resources needed to get back on their feet independently and safely. Missi's nursing actions changed the course of this family's life for the better!