Overview
When a mother called after hours about her infant’s vomiting, veteran pediatric nurse Katye Whorton thought it sounded like a typical viral illness. But within minutes, her clinical instincts, access to photo sharing technology, and protocol-guided assessment uncovered a potentially life-threatening diagnosis. Thanks to Anytime Telecare’s after-hours nurse triage service, a critical pediatric emergency was identified early and escalated appropriately—saving the infant’s life.
Early Red Flags: Beyond the Vomiting
What began as a routine call escalated quickly. The four-month-old was reportedly vomiting but “not having diarrhea.” When Katye inquired further, the mother mentioned bloody, mucousy stools and increased irritability.
“Bloody mucus in a stool is always a red flag,” Katye explained. “My PICU background immediately pushed me to think of worst-case scenarios—like intussusception—and work backwards from there.”
The Role of Nurse Experience and Schmitt-Thompson Protocols
While many triage encounters focus on reassurance, Katye’s deep pediatric ICU and transport experience gave her a sharper lens for rare but emergent conditions.
Using Schmitt-Thompson protocols, she confirmed the situation met criteria for urgent evaluation. “The protocols helped validate my instincts,” she said, “and ensured I followed a consistent framework before escalating.”
Leveraging Technology: From Unclear Descriptions to Actionable Evidence
The mother struggled to describe the concerning stool. Rather than rely on vague explanations, Katye asked the mother to send a photo through Anytime Telecare’s secure HIPAA-compliant image sharing system.
”"She even circled the part she was worried about,” Katye noted. “Seeing the image confirmed everything I suspected."
Anytime Triage Nurse
Seamless Collaboration: From Nurse to Provider, Without Phone Tag
Using Anytime’s secure messaging platform, Katye typed a detailed summary of the child’s condition to the on-call physician—helping the provider make a quick and informed decision without needing to relay everything verbally.
“I then followed up with a quick call to confirm, and the physician agreed—this child needed to be seen immediately,” Katye shared.
The infant was referred to the emergency department, diagnosed with intussusception, and treated promptly with a positive outcome.
Impact and Gratitude
The pediatric practice’s medical director followed up days later, praising the triage encounter and stating the mother’s words directly:
”That nurse saved my child’s life.
Ashley, Anytime Nurse Triage Parent
“It reminded me why I love this work,” said Katye. “Even if we’re not physically in the room, families are incredibly grateful to have someone knowledgeable on the line, helping them navigate scary moments.”
The Bigger Picture: Clinical Excellence Meets Scalable Support
This case showcases what makes Anytime Telecare’s after-hours nurse triage solution so effective
- Highly experienced pediatric nurses
- Evidence-based protocols (Schmitt-Thompson)
- Secure messaging with providers
- Photo and video sharing for visual confirmation
- Fast, accurate triage that preserves ED resources and improves outcomes
By combining clinical experience, smart protocols, and modern tools, Anytime Telecare serves as a seamless extension of pediatric practices across the country—24/7.
Want to learn how our nurses support your team after hours? Explore our triage services.
