January 2022
Melissa
Andrews
,
BSN, RN, CCM
Inpatient Flow
Audie Murphy VA Hospital
San Antonio
,
TX
United States
Ms. Andrews put on her detective hat and went on the hunt for the patient’s vehicle and dogs.
Ms. Andrews was the assigned Case Manager for a Veteran admitted on 4A Medicine Unit. The Veteran was traveling through San Antonio when she felt ill and had to call EMS from a Circle K convenience store. During her patient rounds, Ms. Andrews always converses with them about discharge disposition and mode of transportation. Ms. Andrews was talking with the patient who explained she had to leave her vehicle at a Circle K convenience store when she called EMS and was unsure of the location. Ms. Andrews also found that not only did she have to leave her vehicle, but she also had to leave her two dogs (which she didn’t know the whereabouts of them either). Ms. Andrews put on her detective hat and went on the hunt for the patient’s vehicle and dogs. Ms. Andrews contacted the EMS company that transported the patient to find the address of the Circle K and found the patient's car. Ms. Andrews contacted the store manager to ensure the vehicle would not be towed due to abandonment since no one could pick up the vehicle while the patient was admitted. Ms. Andrews contacted SAPD to retrieve the car keys and to inquire what shelter the dogs were taken to. Ms. Andrews gave the shelter information to the patient so that she could check on her animals and to reassure the shelter she will be there to pick them up. At the time of discharge, Ms. Andrews provided the patient with the address of the shelter and a map of the location of her car. Ms. Andrews continuously shows so much compassion for our Veteran population and goes above and beyond to assist them in any way she can.