A Chronic Care Management Call That Saved A Life

Sometimes, the smallest details serve as a reminder of why we chose this profession. Not all hero stories happen with bright and flashing lights. Occasionally they can happen with a telephone call while quietly sitting at the kitchen table. As part of an ongoing chronic care management program, the nurse in question made a routine check-in call to one of her patients. Their conversation was mundane in essence, as they went over the traditional things, like her daily routine, medications, and meals. That is, until the patient mentioned feeling somewhat more tired than usual. It's not a symptom that throws up red flags all over the place, but the patient's tone made the nurse pause.

Feeling fatigued can show up for a lot of reasons, most of which do not carry a serious weight. But trusting her instincts, the nurse pressed further. When did it start? Has it been getting worse? Do you have any swelling, dizziness, or shortness of breath? As the patient answered, the nurse noticed her breathing was getting heavier with each breath. Each sentence was labored. A blip on the scale of symptoms, but concerning all the same.

She just couldn't let the patient go and immediately called the patient's cardiologist. The clinic took quick action due to the nurse's prompting and scheduled an evaluation and tests. They inevitably revealed the patient was on the verge of a heart attack due to having an 80% arterial blockage. Two weeks later the patient had a successful stent placement to restore blood flow.

The patient was back to herself. Her energy and breathing improved. That routine phone call she took at her kitchen table served her a life-saving meal.

It’s Chronic Care Management programs like the one we offer at Enable Healthcare that make healthcare personal again. Every conversation gives healthcare providers the chance to catch the small changes to a patient's routine early, keeping them safe, supported, and seen. Preventative care and care coordination aren’t just about managing our patient’s diseases; they are about being present and responsive before any conditions escalate. Protection is when a routine phone call is anything but; it is the lifeline our patients count on.

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