Our Calling is Caring: February 08

Saving a Life

I called a cardiac patient today after he was discharged three days ago for chest pain. I attempted to reach him three times yesterday, but all were unsuccessful. I called him again today, surprised to hear that he had chest pain with shortness of breath, diaphoresis, and left arm numbness all day today. He stated that he had been dealing with the same since leaving the hospital. He had spoken to his physician who encouraged him immediately to return to the Emergency Department; however he had not called EMS or left for treatment.

He felt that since he had been hurting this long, it wasn't a real urgent issue. I asked if I could call 911 and have EMS take him to the ED. He refused EMS as he was waiting for his wife. I stayed on the line with the patient to reassure him and encourage him to call EMS when his wife came home. I suggested that if he wouldn't let me call EMS and he wouldn't call EMS himself, that his wife rush him in as a last resort. He thanked me for calling and for the concern. He agreed "I will go to the ER and leave right now with my wife". The call was ended and I proceeded to enter the events into our electronic system to alert the attending physicians at RGH ED that this patient was on his way and to notify his cardiologist. It was a great sense of relief to know this patient was finally going to get the care he desperately needed and that we accomplished our goal of patient care and outcomes even after discharge.

This patient showed up in our ED an hour after Christina'scall. Was immediately admitted, had an emergent cardiac cath, and underwent cardiac bypass surgery the next day. He is now recovering on our cardiac surgery recovery floor due the life-saving discharge call. Never underestimate the work you do when calling patients at home as the next one may save a life.

Christina Fiordeliso, RN
Senior Nurse Counselor
ViaHealth
Rochester, NY