Homes has a land-based clinic at Homeward Bound called the Deflection Center. When DPD picks up individuals charged with criminal trespassing or other nonviolent crimes, they have the option to go to Deflection or Lew Sterrett. Many are addicts or alcoholics or need mental health care. If they choose Deflection, they are brought in by DPD, and a Registered Nurse must assess their safety to remain in care. When these patients arrive, they often are not particularly cooperative; they might be intoxicated. There are specific parameters regarding blood pressure and other factors that they must meet. Initially, our crew was uncertain about how to manage these patients, and if their blood pressure was too high, they were sent to the emergency room. From there, they would be discharged back to the street to continue their way of life.

 

When Sara took over, if a patient was evaluated and their BP was high, but they showed no signs of stroke or other concerns, it was decided to allow them to shower, get something to eat and a nap, and then re-evaluate them. This meant that the patient would receive the medical care and mental health support they needed and have a chance to escape the cycle of abuse they had been enduring.

 

Sarah has been instrumental in caring for these patients. She developed a cheat sheet for nurses to use when admitting patients without an MPA. She has played a key role in helping patients schedule virtual and tele-visit appointments, as well as setting up appointments for both Deflection patients and Homeward Bound patients several times a week. Our census numbers are impressive now, which also reflects the number of patients who are getting help to change their lives. As I have mentioned before, our homeless patients often feel no one cares. When they come to us for care, they know we care. Sometimes, they leave early but then return because they know there is nowhere else they can go to receive the care we provide.

 

Being a nurse is never easy. I often say that nursing is akin to getting paid to be a mother or parent. It is like the old saying: it takes a village. Every child is our child, and every patient is a member of the human family. It is impossible to turn your head and not see someone in need of help. Nothing makes me prouder than to say I am a Parkland Nurse. I am incredibly proud of the nurses I work with, and I appreciate the dedication and devotion they exhibit, as well as the differences we make in the lives of our patients.