The following statement should tell you how the end of my shift went this morning.
*Your idea of a good time is a full arrest at shift change
Approximately 0635: Full Code - Cardiac/Respiratory Arrest. Unknown length of time down; 60yr old male, Hx of Diabeties, Hypertension, MI (myocardial infarction - heart attack). Chest Pain x2-3 days. Began driving to another state yesterday to see his doctor, but felt so bad turned around and came back. Didn't ever see a doctor until 0635 this morning. Not the best time for him to have an initial evaluation - flat on his back, no rhythm (astoyle - flat line), CPR in progress, itubated with bagged respirations. Eyes fixed and dilated. Blue from the chest up - smurf.
Time down before CPR initiated: Unknown
Time from 911 call to first responder at scene: 6minutes.
Time from initial response to ER presentation: 20minutes.
Time spent in ER trying to revive patient: 90minutes.
Time when you believe a “supreme being consult” is your patient’s only hope: 5minutes from ER arrival.
What do you do? David and I argued over the amount of time and effort put into this code. I'm like "from time patient found until code ended was 2hrs - don't ever code me that long!" He's like "I had to try, you never know if you can save that person. And by trying we learn what we can do better in the next code and hopefully save that person. It's not the amount of time, it's the effort that counts". Good point, it really is, it just makes me uncomfortable. I can see myself lying there sometimes. But...
...what is your opinion? How long would you want us to code you or your loved one? Think about your answer considering that brain damage is believed to begin at 4minutes-6minutes without proper oxygenation and cardiac perfusion. I am very interested in your honest opinion.
In the meantime...become informed, become trained, so that you will know what to do in case a loved once needs your help. Check out the American Red Cross or The American Heart Association for more information.
2 comments:
No way would I want to be worked on for 2 hours. Think of the brain damage.
When my aunt was ill we did the "DNR" thing.
Kathy
Hi; just found your journal.
I surely would not want to be coded so long as to suffer brain damage and have quantity of life, but not quality of life. I think my loved ones would feel the same way.
betty
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