Meet Racheal Penny, RN, CCM
Racheal currently works at Careworks as a Field Case Manager. She has over 30 years of nursing experience including 25 years of workers’ compensation case management in both field and telephonic. Over this time, she has gained extensive experience with Ohio, Kentucky, and Indiana’s workers’ compensation.
“As case managers, we can make a positive impact on a person’s life following injuries by caring and having empathy and compassion.”
Challenge
*Travis was working at his construction job when a devastating accident happened – a 1200-pound piece of steel came loose and struck him in the back of the leg, resulting in a crush injury and an open wound in his calf. After the full analysis of his leg, the surgeon on the file became extremely concerned. That’s where Racheal came in.
The surgeon explained their worries to Racheal, as Travis could be looking at losing his leg due to infection and compartment syndrome, a dangerous building of pressure in his muscles. The original consideration was for a debridement procedure of the calf where debris and damaged tissue would be removed, but due to immense initial swelling, this could not be performed. After this, his next follow up visit with the orthopedic surgeon would be two weeks away.
Solution
Understanding the urgency and weight of the situation, Racheal stayed as active on the file as possible. After speaking with the surgeon more, she confirmed the appointment and completed all initial contacts. It was because of her instantaneous devotion to the claim that when Travis called her out of worry, she answered and got him the help he needed.
A few days after leaving the initial contact, Travis called Racheal, explaining to her that his open wound smelled rotten and putrid, and he didn’t know what to do. Immediately, Racheal instructed Travis to stop what he was doing and rush to the emergency room for evaluation.
After Travis left for the emergency room, Racheal contacted the orthopedic specialist’s office and secured an appointment for two to three days away rather than two weeks out. Travis was able to receive the treatment he urgently needed in the emergency department and was given high dose antibiotics. He was then evaluated by the orthopedic surgeon only two days later.
Result
In the end, orthopedics was able to complete two successful debridement procedures as well as a meniscal tear for Travis, and the amputation was avoided. After completing all his prescribed physical therapy, he was discharged to his home, and eventually also became completely independent with his daily activities.
Due to the success of the procedures, he not only didn’t have to get his leg amputated, but he was able to get back to being fully weight bearing on his leg with no assistive devices. Racheal was then able to obtain a light-duty work release to facilitate a timely return to work for Travis as well. Because of Travis’s openness and trust in Racheal and Racheal’s quick thinking and dedicated care for Travis, potential tragedy was avoided. Instead, Travis has been able to return to the life he loves.