From Death to Health in 30 Days: A Hemochromatosis Case Report.

BACKGROUND: Heredity hemochromatosis (HH) is an underdiagnosed genetic disease that can lead to life-threatening multisystem organ failure. Identifying and treating HH early can prevent the progression of the disease.

CASE PRESENTATION: For a 60-year-old white patient without obvious symptoms, it was a revelation to discover that he had HH. This patient, although receiving evidence-based care, ultimately required a liver transplant. As his condition deteriorated, the plan for this patient and his family involved working within an interdisciplinary team that included nurse practitioners and intensive care unit nurses.

DISCUSSION: The uniqueness of this case illustrates the crucial role of a health care team that persisted in differentiating the patient's diagnosis and continued to sustain both physical and emotional care throughout his hospitalization despite a poor prognosis. The patient felt support from this team during the course of his illness, from requiring life-supporting care in intensive care unit to returning home and resuming his normal activities of daily living.