Annabel Barrera
May 2025
Annabel
Barrera
,
RN
Case Manager
RUHS
Moreno Valley
,
CA
United States
She emphasized the truth, which resulted in trust and rapport. She became the go-to person and worked with her continuously to deal with the sensitivities and pain that come with poor health prognosis decisions.
While working with Annabel, I’ve observed the unique role of a case manager. The advocacy for both patients, family/caregiver, and hospital advocate as well. I observed Annabel's interaction with a patient’s mother daily, even numerous times a day, when, unfortunately, the end of life of her loved one was imminent. Annabel displayed that unique balance within her interactions with the patient's mother.
Advocacy: She actively listened to the anguish and pain of a mother losing a child to an illness that could not be cured. She empathized with her and would take her call, even if it resulted in her rearranging the task of the day. The support of a loved one is an aspect of patient advocacy. When patients cannot speak for themselves, the role of the person making decisions must be supported and cared for, helping make clear-minded decisions. Annabel communicated with the medical team and heard the prognosis of the patient daily. The enormous task of hearing the prognosis, planning discharge to a higher level of care, or knowing that comfort care may be needed weighed heavily on her. Especially when you now must discuss such options with a patient's mother who’s hoping you say it’s all going to be ok and we don’t have to talk about discharge, and rather recovery and going home. Annabel did not complain or dread speaking with the patient's mother. She did so with grace and care. She spoke with patient advocacy first. She emphasized the truth, which resulted in trust and rapport. She became the go-to person and worked with her continuously to deal with the sensitivities and pain that come with poor health prognosis decisions.
Case Managers must be strong and soft with seconds of meeting a patient or loved one. You must be informative, critical, and empathetic as well. Annabel is balanced, so caring, and sees tasks through that she may come across as strong. But strength is what is needed. Annabel will hold the weight of worry and fear of a patient. Hold the weight of insurance denials. Hold the weight of surge protocols and patient discharges. Hold the weight of challenging patient and loved one interactions. Annabel is strong, she doesn’t break, and she is what is needed to perform the fine balance as a Case Manager.
Advocacy: She actively listened to the anguish and pain of a mother losing a child to an illness that could not be cured. She empathized with her and would take her call, even if it resulted in her rearranging the task of the day. The support of a loved one is an aspect of patient advocacy. When patients cannot speak for themselves, the role of the person making decisions must be supported and cared for, helping make clear-minded decisions. Annabel communicated with the medical team and heard the prognosis of the patient daily. The enormous task of hearing the prognosis, planning discharge to a higher level of care, or knowing that comfort care may be needed weighed heavily on her. Especially when you now must discuss such options with a patient's mother who’s hoping you say it’s all going to be ok and we don’t have to talk about discharge, and rather recovery and going home. Annabel did not complain or dread speaking with the patient's mother. She did so with grace and care. She spoke with patient advocacy first. She emphasized the truth, which resulted in trust and rapport. She became the go-to person and worked with her continuously to deal with the sensitivities and pain that come with poor health prognosis decisions.
Case Managers must be strong and soft with seconds of meeting a patient or loved one. You must be informative, critical, and empathetic as well. Annabel is balanced, so caring, and sees tasks through that she may come across as strong. But strength is what is needed. Annabel will hold the weight of worry and fear of a patient. Hold the weight of insurance denials. Hold the weight of surge protocols and patient discharges. Hold the weight of challenging patient and loved one interactions. Annabel is strong, she doesn’t break, and she is what is needed to perform the fine balance as a Case Manager.