During a follow-up from the Proactive Postpartum Call Center, a nurse and interpreter reached out to a new mom who didn’t speak English. She had been feeling unwell since coming home from the hospital, but hadn’t contacted anyone for help.
Although she had received information about postpartum warning signs before discharge, she wasn’t sure what her symptoms meant or how serious they were.
With the interpreter’s support, the nurse walked through the screening questions and encouraged the patient to talk more about how she was feeling. As the conversation unfolded, the nurse recognized the need for immediate care.
She answered the patient’s questions, explained why her symptoms were concerning, and gave her the number to call for triage.
Just a few hours later, the patient called triage and was told to go to the hospital right away. There, she was diagnosed with a serious infection that required emergency surgery and two days of IV antibiotics.
After a three-day stay, she returned home feeling better and ready to care for her baby.
This is the power of proactive postpartum care: real conversations, in real time, that lead to real action. And sometimes, a simple phone call can save a life.
