I have the privilege of working with a nurse, who most certainly fits the bill of “extraordinary”. If this were a senior yearbook nomination, Adriane Albertowicz would be given the title of “most likely to advocate for her patients”. Although I see her go above and beyond time and time again, there is one particular event for which I believe she deserves the highest recognition.

From time to time, we all have patients that seem to have more “problems” than others and call more frequently than most. In this case, I am talking about a patient that would call up to 4 times a day on some days and was unlikely to comply with the advice given with each call. On this particular Thursday, Adriane noted that this patient had not only missed his appointment on Tuesday but had not called even once. This was highly unlike him. Following several attempts to call him, she took it upon herself to call 911 and request a welfare check, as he was not answering his phone. Upon arrival at the patient’s home, the patient was found in his bed with his colostomy stoma exposed. He was confused and multiple bottles of medication were found spilled out on the floor. He was transported via ambulance where he received a Nasogastric tube, IV antibiotics, and quality pain management. If this does not represent a moment when a nurse demonstrates exceptional care for our patients, I don’t know what does.

Although this patient was, to put it lightly… difficult, she offered him the same high-quality care she would anyone. Had she not taken time to investigate his absence, reach out to him, and send him help, who knows what the outcome might have been.