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| St. Petersburg Free Clinic 863 3rd Avenue N. St. Petersburg, FL 33701 Phone 727.821.1200 Fax 727.821.9263 |
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| A Reluctant Patient Complies |
During the week of November 2nd, a male patient, aged mid to late
left arm and a periodic sharp pain in his head. The Intake Desk
spoke with him and he said that he had had a major
stroke about two years previously. The Intake Desk
personnel consulted with Maria Viking, ARNP, and
Marcia Clark, Nurse Coordinator, about the patient's concerns. It was
determined that the patient should immediately go to St. Anthony's
Emergency Room for evaluation.
After explaining to the patient the concerns and belief that he should
seek evaluation at the hosptial, he initially appeared unwilling to go,
citing financial concerns. Our Health Center staff explained to him
that St. Anthony's would not turn a patient away for lack of ability to
pay. He still hesitated, saying that he knew what was wrong but
didn't want to incur the expense of an emergency room visit. The
patient left our facility saying he would consider our advice.
On Monday, November 9th, the same patient returned to the Free
Clinic, stating that he did go to the hospital and was admitted for
several days. The hospital determined that he did have another
stroke. The patient needed to follow up on care that was beyond our
capability, but Sandra Grosvenor, Care Coordinator/Health Educator,
was able to assist the patient in finding additional primary care
through the Pinellas County Health Department.
This is one of those cases where a patient was not treated by a Free
Clinic medical professional, but through the teamwork of Free Clinic
staff, intervention occurred with a significant impact. From the intake
process to the clinicians and physicians, everyone is conscious of
our goal of providing a patient with the best medical advice and care
possible.
left arm and a periodic sharp pain in his head. The Intake Desk
spoke with him and he said that he had had a major
stroke about two years previously. The Intake Desk
personnel consulted with Maria Viking, ARNP, and
Marcia Clark, Nurse Coordinator, about the patient's concerns. It was
determined that the patient should immediately go to St. Anthony's
Emergency Room for evaluation.
After explaining to the patient the concerns and belief that he should
seek evaluation at the hosptial, he initially appeared unwilling to go,
citing financial concerns. Our Health Center staff explained to him
that St. Anthony's would not turn a patient away for lack of ability to
pay. He still hesitated, saying that he knew what was wrong but
didn't want to incur the expense of an emergency room visit. The
patient left our facility saying he would consider our advice.
On Monday, November 9th, the same patient returned to the Free
Clinic, stating that he did go to the hospital and was admitted for
several days. The hospital determined that he did have another
stroke. The patient needed to follow up on care that was beyond our
capability, but Sandra Grosvenor, Care Coordinator/Health Educator,
was able to assist the patient in finding additional primary care
through the Pinellas County Health Department.
This is one of those cases where a patient was not treated by a Free
Clinic medical professional, but through the teamwork of Free Clinic
staff, intervention occurred with a significant impact. From the intake
process to the clinicians and physicians, everyone is conscious of
our goal of providing a patient with the best medical advice and care
possible.
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| Residence |
Marcia Clark, Nurse
Coordinator
Coordinator
Maria Viking, ARNP