January 2018
Tiffany
Bustamante
,
RN
Float Pool
Gulf Coast Veterans Health Care System
Biloxi
,
MS
United States

 

 

 

Nurse Tiffany Bustamante was off duty on her way to her car one morning when she noticed an elderly gentleman pulling on the door handles of cars parked in front of building 25. After the 3rd car she witnessed this gentleman attempting to open, Mrs. Bustamante approached the gentleman to inquire if he needed assistance. The gentleman had been dropped off by a medivan transport from his assisted living center that morning supposedly for an appointment. Unfortunately, this appointment was to have been canceled but the gentleman's daughter had forgotten to cancel it and the transport. The assisted living center did not know that the elderly gentleman's usual caregiver had called in sick and would not be escorting him to his appointment. No one was aware this gentleman had been dropped off alone and was wandering the parking lot attempting to open car doors.
Thank God Mrs. Bustamante cared enough to stop and take the time to ask what was going on. After intervening and identifying something was amiss, Mrs. Bustamante reached out for help, and we contacted the elderly gentleman's daughter who was very appreciative of the help that was provided to her father by Mrs. Bustamante. Mrs. Bustamante remained by his side until help arrived even though her duty shift had ended hours earlier.