A small child was admitted to one of CLS-Chicago’s client hospitals with an internal device regulated by an external transmitter. When the transmitter went missing, Ops Manager Bessie Rosenthal got a call from the hospital with some daunting news: they believed that the transmitter had been lost in the soiled linen. Unfortunately, if the transmitter could not be found before 7 a.m. the next day, the unfortunate child would need surgery to replace the internal device so a new transmitter could be used. Truck driver Kamal Kassor hurried to the hospital to retrieve the linen and brought it back for the soil team, including James Ferrel and Lisa Ivansco, to search for the device. The three searched diligently and, by midnight, their hard work paid off. They found the transmitter! Clinic driver Tony Butler hand carried it to the hospital, getting it there just in time to save the child unnecessary surgery. “I’m so proud of all the teamwork that went into finding the transmitter,” Rosenthal commented. “This group ROCKS!”

Josiane, a 22-year old Burundi woman, had been living with the crippling burn damage to face and hands that she’d received when caught in a war zone at the age of 9. Her mother, Rose, joined her in the journey to Lehigh Valley Hospital, neither woman knowing anything about American culture or language. The hospital reached out to Housekeepers Marie Irakoze and Gilberte Bigirimana, both originally from Burundi, for help. They went to work, welcoming the women, acclimating them to the hotel and hospital, and translating for physicians. Understanding the cultural difference, Marie and Gilberte saw to their nutritional needs, bringing in a home-cooked Burundi meal and giving Nutrition Services recipes to make. In addition, they reached out to the local Burundi community in Allentown and coordinated their bringing clothing, food, and best of all, compassion during a time that could have been overwhelming and frightening. Marie and Gilberte will continue in their special roles until January, when the family will return home.

Imagine facing a terminal illness alone in the hospital. Every person you see throughout the day has a busy, clinical agenda. Then along comes Amanda Henderson to clean your room. For a young woman at Rowan Regional Medical Center facing these conditions, Amanda became a guardian angel. She made sure the patient had everything she needed and made an extra effort to comfort her every time she entered the room. One morning while cleaning, the patient mused that some roses would brighten up the room. Amanda returned later that day with a bouquet of beautiful flowers, lifting the patient’s spirits. She was very touched and grateful for Amanda’s thoughtfulness. “She did it out of the goodness of her heart and wanted to make the few days left to the young woman’s life bright and happy ones,” commented Lindsay. Two days later, the young woman was moved to Hospice. “Amanda is a remarkable person that truly makes a difference every day in the lives of the patients she serves,” Lindsay said.

What does a conscientious patient flow coordinator do when he encounters a patient in an unexpected place? Demond Baird, who fulfills this role at St. Vincent Infirmary, was in the basement of the hospital when he noticed someone standing by an exit door. While he was wearing scrubs, they weren’t the same as the ones the doctors and interns wore. He was also wearing slipper socks and no shoes. Demond had a startling thought: what patient would be out of his room and in the basement of the hospital? It occurred to him that he might belong on the Behavioral Health unit and was attempting to elope. Demond took responsibility for the safety of the patient by talking to him and using his cell phone to call the unit as well as security for assistance. When the patient continued out the exit door, he stayed with him until help arrived. For his actions, Demond received the first St. Vincent Patient Safety Award.