Yesterday was a pretty average day working in the ER. It was pretty busy but we were staying ahead of it and it wasn't bad. Until the call came over the radio. It was 5pm....3 men down, on a part of the highway that is closed and not meant for driving. 5 minutes later they came over the radio again, 3 criticals, all coding, all very sick. Other things were said like, "half of his skull is gone," "thrown 100 ft," "unconscious," "unresponsive," "young."
The charge nurse and I started to put together teams, pulling nurses from other parts of the hospital. We had 3 rooms ready, 3 teams ready, waiting. That's when I realized something....OH SHIT....I'm the only doctor. How can I possibly run 3 codes and take care of 3 critical patients in 3 different rooms at the same time? Oh shit, oh shit, oh shit, oh shit. To say I was scared is an understatement. Everyone is looking at me like I'm the one with all the answers. Oh shit.
In rolls the 1st ambulance with a young person (19 or so), blood everywhere, unconscious, cold, no pulse. So we start the code and get ready to intubate when in rolls the second ambulance with another young person (25) missing a large part of his skull, not breathing, no heartbeat, not responsive. I run to him and realize that there is not anything that can be done.....I call it and back to the other patient. Attempt to intubate with blood and puke and stuff EVERYWHERE. I look down and see blood and spinal fluid running out of his ear....oh SHIT. All the while we are doing CPR and giving drugs, trying to get a heartbeat, trying to get anything.
In rolls the last ambulance. This patient is alive, barely, but alive. I look up and see one of the local doctors who came in to help....thank God! Rush back to patient #2. There is no hope for him. Pronounce patient #2. Back to the one guy who might make it. Intubate, CPR, drugs...we have a pulse. He eventually made it to a trauma center via helicopter and is still in critical condition. I don't hold out a lot of hope that he will make it. It was awful. Not a good night, not for anyone.
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I am a mom, wife, and doctor trying find my way through this life. This is a place for me to talk about my journey as I live and grow.
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7 comments:
that is awful! do you know what the guys were doing that caused the awful accident? their poor families! i just can't even imagine. you're a saint!
Oh Shit is right. Ugh... so did two die or two were lifted out?
At least there was a hospital for them to go to to. Where my parents live the closest hospital is 45 minutes away. most people take a helicopter for trama.
I KNEW ER wsa real. This sounds like SOOOOO many episodes I've seen George Clooney in.
I know that you were scared shitless, but I think you handled it amazingly. If I were in trouble I would feel safe rolling in to your ER with only you on duty.
I would also hope to get some preferential treatment of course. You know, some extra chest compressions. ;)
Word ver. throb.
I'm SOOO not going there.
All I can say is "Utmost Respect!"
How in god's name do you do what you do? Their is now way I could do even half of what you do and see...god bless you and your staft
Oh, man. I can't imagine doing what you do.
Way to hold it together... everything.
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