Ashley was providing nursing care to a patient who was admitted overnight for an Ativan overdose. By 0900 the next morning, the patient was fully awake and wanted to go home. The patient had recently been experiencing increased mood disturbances and severe depression over his mother's terminal illness. In a very calm voice, Ashley asked him what he was going to do when he went home and he responded that it was none of her business. He did admit that he had a plan to go home and take more Ativan. Ashley quietly reassured him that she needed him to stay so she could keep him safe from harm. During this time, Ashley noticed that the wife was visibly shaken and upset by the turn of events. Ashley asked the facilitator to keep an eye on the patient while she walked with the wife to the family lounge. Ashley sat with the wife and offered her the services of the chaplain. The wife shared with me that Ashley was so kind and comforting during this difficult time. She knew that Ashley would take very good care of her husband.
Over the course of about 15 minutes the patient's behavior began to escalate and security was called for additional assistance. Yet, Ashley still remained in the room with the patient trying to de-escalate the situation and speaking very kindly to the patient. She maintained his dignity through this entire sequence of events. The patient looked at Ashley, picked up the phone and told her he was going to call the Lancaster Police. Ashley positioned herself safely in front of the patient and told the patient that it was not necessary to call the police as she removed the phone from him. She did this with finesse and compassion always maintaining the dignity of the patient. The patient laid back down in his bed and told her he would stay to receive the help he needed. This patient was later transferred to the Mental Health Unit. The wife was very grateful to Ashley who handled this difficult situation with a compassionate and caring attitude.