Laura Chambers returned a phone call from a patient who stated she could not make her appointment as planned. As Laura was talking with the patient so she could document the patient's reasons for not making the appointment as her doctor expected, Laura noted changes in the patient's presentation. After talking with the patient Laura came to me and stated she was concerned about the patient and planned a welfare check for the patient's safety with the local police department.
The police department arrived at the patient's house to find this patient in need of help and the police got the patient transported to AdventHealth ER.
Due to Laura listening well to her patient-- the patient and her family are now living in a safer environment. So many of our older patients are living without children at all or not living near. As providers of care, we do need to continue to be aware of the support systems our patients have as Laura does every day. This is one of many times Laura reached beyond the obvious to help as she provides completed care.