LaWanda Bowers
May 2024
LaWanda
Bowers
,
RN
York Specialty Clinics
US Department of Veterans Affairs Tennessee Valley Healthcare System
Murfreesboro
,
TN
United States
Her kindness and smile are consistent in all of her interactions, and therefore, she creates a trusting rapport with those she encounters.
In my time working with LaWanda, it is obvious that she loves her job and takes pride in caring for the veterans she serves. Her kindness and smile are consistent in all of her interactions, and therefore, she creates a trusting rapport with those she encounters.
A situation occurred with a veteran who is known to have a frequent history of behavioral issues, verbal aggression, and noncompliance that put her in a difficult position. This occurred just days after the veteran was released from an inpatient psychiatry unit for Suicidal Ideation.
Due to this previously established rapport, the veteran frequently contacts her directly for needs. He has a history of chronic infection and was requesting a particular antibiotic. For several days, after ongoing discussion, there was confusion regarding this requested medication compared to another and which medication he was previously unable to tolerate.
The physician persistently declined to order the requested medication, stating previous intolerance. The veteran denied this, and he became increasingly frustrated. The veteran contacted Lawanda yet again on a Friday afternoon to voice his frustration and to seek assistance. LaWanda listened patiently to his concerns and complaints and repeatedly reached out to the prescribing provider. She then completed an extensive review of the veteran's chart to find the exact references to relay to the provider to help clear the confusion. Eventually, this led the physician to agree to contact the patient. I received a follow-up phone call from the veteran to inform me of the situation and the overall outcome.
He expressed great appreciation for LaWanda's endless attempts to advocate for him and, in the end, reported that he was satisfied with his plan of care. LaWanda de-escalated this situation by being responsive and listening as the veteran felt that his concerns were being heard. She went above and beyond to persistently advocate for this very fragile veteran, preventing what could have been a perceived negative outcome. Thank you, LaWanda! You are such an asset to TVHS!
Note: This is LaWanda's 2nd DAISY Award!
A situation occurred with a veteran who is known to have a frequent history of behavioral issues, verbal aggression, and noncompliance that put her in a difficult position. This occurred just days after the veteran was released from an inpatient psychiatry unit for Suicidal Ideation.
Due to this previously established rapport, the veteran frequently contacts her directly for needs. He has a history of chronic infection and was requesting a particular antibiotic. For several days, after ongoing discussion, there was confusion regarding this requested medication compared to another and which medication he was previously unable to tolerate.
The physician persistently declined to order the requested medication, stating previous intolerance. The veteran denied this, and he became increasingly frustrated. The veteran contacted Lawanda yet again on a Friday afternoon to voice his frustration and to seek assistance. LaWanda listened patiently to his concerns and complaints and repeatedly reached out to the prescribing provider. She then completed an extensive review of the veteran's chart to find the exact references to relay to the provider to help clear the confusion. Eventually, this led the physician to agree to contact the patient. I received a follow-up phone call from the veteran to inform me of the situation and the overall outcome.
He expressed great appreciation for LaWanda's endless attempts to advocate for him and, in the end, reported that he was satisfied with his plan of care. LaWanda de-escalated this situation by being responsive and listening as the veteran felt that his concerns were being heard. She went above and beyond to persistently advocate for this very fragile veteran, preventing what could have been a perceived negative outcome. Thank you, LaWanda! You are such an asset to TVHS!
Note: This is LaWanda's 2nd DAISY Award!