Early Detection that Saved a Life
In home care, clinical skill, attentiveness, and timely action can make all the difference, sometimes even saving a life. That was exactly the case for PCM client Gary, thanks to the swift coordination and clinical expertise of PCM Case Manager Rosanna, along with the continued support of PCM Physical Therapist Matt.
Rosanna had been a PCM case manager for six months and brought seven years of hospital nursing experience to the role. She had only recently been assigned to Gary’s case and was meeting him for the first time, but her clinical instincts quickly made an impact. Matt, who had recently joined our company about a year ago, brought with him eight years of experience as a Physical Therapist. Over the course of several months, he had been treating Gary for severe polyneuropathy and other health concerns. Through consistent visits, he developed a strong rapport not only with Gary but also with his wife, Kay, creating a foundation of trust and attentive care.
One day in February, Matt had visited Gary earlier that morning and reported that he was stable and asymptomatic. By the afternoon, when Rosanna arrived for her first visit with him, something had changed. While assessing his vitals using home care equipment, she initially questioned whether Gary’s pulse reading might be inaccurate. However, after continuing to check and verifying the results, she confirmed her concern. His pulse was in the 30s, which is highly unusual for a man his age.
Recognizing the severity of the situation, Rosanna took immediate action and contacted Gary’s physician. He was promptly advised to see a cardiologist. Within a week, he underwent follow-up appointments and testing. During his second appointment, which included an angiogram, physicians discovered a 90% blockage in an artery supplying approximately half of his heart. Because the condition was caught so quickly, Gary was able to undergo a less invasive procedure rather than a more extensive open-heart surgery. He received a timely mammary artery graft, preventing a major cardiac event, causing him to recover quickly and return home within days with minimal pain.
Since the incident, Matt has continued providing physical therapy tailored to Gary’s recovery while closely monitoring his health and offering patient education. Due to the combined efforts of Rosanna and Matt, a potentially life-threatening situation was identified early and successfully resolved before more extensive medical intervention was required.
Reflecting on the experience, Rosanna and Matt shared:
“Being able to be there when something underlying like this was happening and he didn’t realize it is part of what makes me understand that what we do makes a big difference. Sometimes in healthcare, you can feel like what you do is minimal, and I am very new to home care, so for me, it makes me feel like I am doing something that truly makes a difference in these clients’ lives.” — Rosanna
“You really care about the people you are working with, and I care about Gary and Kay —they’re really good people. To be able to play a part in helping him get better feels good. It has also helped me appreciate the importance of good communication, and our team (Gary’s home care team) is very good about that.” — Matt
