Optum Infusion Pharmacy nurse spotlight
On average, Optum Infusion nurses spend approximately 1,300 hours per year providing care to patients who are living with chronic and acute conditions. Hilary, an Optum Infusion nurse with 27 years of experience, including five on the Alabama Optum Infusion Pharmacy team, knows this firsthand.
One day, while treating a patient who receives biweekly in-home infusion with immunoglobulin to help combat a weakened immune system, she sensed something wasn’t right. He wasn’t acting like himself, so she paused to ask, “How are you feeling today?” The patient complained of dizziness and said he was “not feeling like himself.” She knew this was not typical for him, so she dug in to find the cause.
Hilary further assessed the patient and discovered his pulse was dangerously low at 36 beats per minute. Acting quickly, she consulted his cardiologist along with the patient's wife. The cardiologist agreed that they should head to the nearest hospital immediately. Hilary stayed with the patient and his wife, helping them gather everything they needed before leaving. After being evaluated in the local emergency room, the patient was admitted and remained in the hospital until he could have a pacemaker installed.
Hilary’s attentiveness and deep connection with her patient enabled her to pick up clues that likely saved the patient’s life and he is now back to receiving his regular infusions from the comfort of his home.
