When you think of after-hours calls to your practice, you probably expect to hear about fevers, rashes, maybe a case of the stomach bug. That’s exactly how a recent call began—until experienced triage nurse Katye Whorton recognized something much more serious was unfolding.
This is the story of how clinical experience, evidence-based protocols, and secure tech tools came together to save an infant’s life.
From “Probably a Virus” to a Critical Diagnosis in Minutes
It was a typical night on the after-hours line. A mother called concerned that her four-month-old was vomiting. Initially, the symptoms didn’t seem alarming—but Katye’s questions uncovered an unexpected detail: bloody, mucousy stool.
“Bloody mucus is never just a virus,” said Katye, who has a background in pediatric ICU and transport. “I immediately started thinking of intussusception.”
That gut instinct, combined with her protocol-driven approach, ultimately changed the course of this call entirely.
Validating Clinical Intuition with Proven Protocols
Like all Anytime Telecare nurses, Katye uses the Schmitt-Thompson protocols to guide her triage assessments. In this case, those protocols matched her clinical concern and confirmed that escalation was warranted.
“The protocol was clear—this child needed to be seen urgently. But it also helped me talk the parent through why, in a way that felt calm and supported,” Katye shared.
A Photo That Made All the Difference
The mother was struggling to describe exactly what she was seeing in the diaper. So Katye leveraged one of the most powerful tools in the nurse triage toolkit: secure image sharing.
“She sent the photo and even circled the area she was concerned about. That confirmed everything I needed to know,” Katye said.
Having that visual reference not only helped the nurse triage appropriately—it helped ensure clear communication with the on-call provider, too.
No Phone Tag. No Guesswork. Just Coordination.
Using Anytime Telecare’s secure messaging platform, Katye sent a written summary of the case directly to the on-call provider, saving time and providing a clean handoff.
“I still called to confirm, but that message let the physician prepare and respond faster,” Katye said.
The result? The baby was seen in the ER that night, diagnosed with intussusception, and treated successfully.
A Grateful Family—and a Reminder of Why After-Hours Coverage Matters
The practice’s medical director reached out afterward to express thanks. The mother’s message was even more powerful:
“That nurse saved my baby’s life.”
This kind of outcome isn’t the exception—it’s what happens when experienced nurses have the right tools and support to do their job well.
The Anytime Telecare Difference
Every element of this life-saving encounter is built into the way we work:
- Pediatric-experienced RNs
- 24/7 access to Schmitt-Thompson protocols
- HIPAA-compliant photo and video sharing
- Secure messaging with your on-call providers
- Real-time triage that supports your team—and your patients
When you partner with Anytime Telecare, you’re not just outsourcing calls—you’re extending your practice.
Want to See How This Works in Your Practice?
Schedule a Demo to learn how after-hours coverage can reduce burnout, increase billable visits, and lead to life-saving moments like this one.
