Chairman's Corner
Judith A. Bishop, Chairman

Those of us who answered the call to work in health care have seen many changes in this continuously evolving industry. Although there have been many changes, I’m reminded on a daily basis of the one variable that remains the same: our commitment to patient care.

I feel honored to be surrounded by so many health care providers who live by this commitment. It’s not a job; it’s a calling. And their level of care seems to know no boundaries.

I’m immediately reminded of our field nurse and social worker, Leah Klein, who was called to a patient’s home about this time last year and found the patient’s oxygen sat at 85 percent and her lips and hands cherry red. Concerned, Leah asked if she could look around the house and noticed the gas stove burner was on, as well as the gas furnace, both with orange/yellow flames instead of the normal blue. Leah immediately realized this was carbon monoxide and took action to help the patient. She also notified family and doctors, thinking a carbon monoxide-related illness may have been the cause of the patient’s recent hospitalization. Leah then went out and bought the patient an electric space heater to use to keep warm — and refused to be reimbursed for her purchase, as it was a gift from the heart, she said.

Over the course of this year, I’ve heard countless stories like Leah’s that leave me feeling inspired and proud to be a member of our health care community.

Take LVN Gail Fields, for instance, who recently called her patient to set up a visit. When the patient didn’t answer the phone, Gail drove out to the home anyway, since that particular patient rarely leaves the home. When the patient didn’t answer the door, Gail became concerned and called a family member who came over and suggested removing the window unit air conditioner to get inside. Gail volunteered to climb into the house and found the patient on the floor. He had fallen and been too weak to call for help.

Then we have home health aide Shar Warren who visited a patient not long ago, during which the patient’s caregivers reported that he was sound asleep. Shar tried to waken him for a bath but he didn’t respond. Turns out that, unbeknownst to his caregivers, the patient’s blood sugar had dropped dangerously low, causing unconsciousness. Thanks to Shar’s quick thinking and her follow of protocol, the patient received appropriate care and fully recovered.

Finally, one of our LVNs, Sarah Wilkins, was on a routine visit with a patient when she noticed smoke on the front porch. The patient and his wife both froze with panic. Sarah helped the couple evacuate their home, grabbed a garden hose and hosed down the house until the fire department arrived. She then administered a breathing treatment to the patient. Later, the Fire Chief told Sarah that because of the high winds, the couple’s mobile home would have burned down without her intervention. The couple wrote to our company about the experience: “Sarah will never know how much she means to us. She took charge. She saved our home and our lives. She is truly a hero (ours).”

As our company looks ahead to November and the celebration of National Home Care Month, I am warmed by all of those professionals — referring physicians, nurses, caregivers, and office staff — who consistently make it possible for our patients to receive the highest quality of care in their homes.