I wanted to let you know of the amazing, DAISY level nursing care that my dad and I experienced while in the Emergency Department. All of the nurses, doctors, technicians and registration staff with whom we came in contact were really good. But one nurse stands out. Her name is Chelsey Clausen.
My dad can be a challenge to care for; both physically and emotionally. He is 93 years old, blind, and hard of hearing. He is also a very big man-over 6 ft 4 inches and currently having significant pain and mobility issues-the main reason for the visit. Dad lives in assisted living, and arrived to the hospital in an ambulance.
From the onset, Chelsey was patient and respectful to Dad. She was gentle and clear in her communications. When the time came for his discharge, she verified with me that we would need a transport vehicle to return him to assisted living. She could see that I was clearly not able to assist him in and out of my vehicle. She called the transport service and then shared with me that they could not come until at least 11 PM that night. It was about 4:45 PM at this point. She talked with Dad and arranged for him to have some food delivered, as he had not eaten since early that morning.
As she and I discussed the options and ways to avoid a needless, uncomfortable, and very extended stay in the Emergency Department for my dad, she reminded me that the assisted living facility he is at has a wheelchair van and perhaps they could come. I started the phone calls to the team that I know at the facility. This is when Chelsey went above and beyond and thoroughly WOWED me-and gave me peace of mind. As plans were being explored with the assisted care facility (their services stop at 5 PM and we were getting really close to that time), Chelsey shared with me that she gets off at 6:00 PM. She said she would be more than happy to help get Dad into my vehicle—and then, since her shift was almost over, she would meet me at the assisted living facility and help me get him out of the vehicle into a wheelchair.
The pandemic adds to the complexity of this care continuum since non-employees, including family, are prohibited past the front doors. She had a solution for this; was going to contact Dad's care staff as we drove up and arrange for one of them to meet us at the front door so we could transfer Dad's care to them.
In the end, the assisted living facility transport was able to come and transport Dad safely back. Chelsey eased my "almost panic" at the thought of Dad needing to remain in this unfamiliar space longer than necessary.
Chelsey has the heart for people; for nursing; for caring; and for problem-solving.