You know, that elusive little thing we all hope and dream for in our line of work. The call that somehow manages to out-do the pucker factor with the satisfaction of knowing your patient was on death's door but was returned to their family in a condition as close to "normal" as possible. Yeah... that call.
I was pretty excited when her heart started beating again. I have never seen that happen before. We gave ourselves the pats on the back and wrote the reports. We really got excited when she maintained her pulse until after the ambulance drove through the bay doors. The whole time something in the back of my mind was saying not so fast there Slick.
As it turns out I was right in thinking that surely can't count as the illustrious save. She died withing 2 minutes of being off of the respirator. Brain dead and just a body limping along with the aid of machines. It kind of makes you wonder if you will ever see the day.
Despite my pessimistic tone it is a valuable reminder. We have a job to do and we do it well, but none of us on this spinning ball are the One with the final decision.
2 comments:
It will happen soon enough Bernice!
But it isnt that common to get them back (or maybe thats me?) In the last 9 years, I think I have had 9 full 'saves' with a final discharge out of hospital and back home.
Many more, have had a return of pulse only to die later that day or the next day in intensive care.
I am the queen of trauma codes so yeah... the odds are against me.
I have been in EMS almost 7 years and I have yet to have one.
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