Comments on: Sometimes a win…

By: Epijunky

Epijunky — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 03:04:12 +0000

I think I need to write more about the good days. Thanks Doug :)

By: Doug Dever

Doug Dever — Tue, 15 Sep 2009 02:49:10 +0000

Epi… can you catch a break? I’m sorry. :-(

By: Walt Trachim

Walt Trachim — Sat, 12 Sep 2009 20:44:25 +0000

I feel your pain, Epi. Was in this situation myself not too long ago. It sucks.

http://manchmedic.blogspot.com/2009/08/stuck-in-middle.html

By: NYEMT

NYEMT — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 21:39:00 +0000

16 years in volunteer EMS here; I’ve done CPR more times than I can remember…and I’ve had exactly ONE where we converted back to a rhythm and corresponding pulse.

The patient in question, a heavy smoker in her 50s with COPD, was transported for acute shortness of breath early in the evening, and (frustrated with a perfectly normal wait in the ER) signed out AMA and caught a cab home. Three hours later, the same dispatch went out again – “female with difficulty breathing”, and when I walked into the house, I found her in agonal respirations on the floor, where she coded within seconds, as I assembled the BVM. We performed CPR, defibrillated and transported her, and got a rhythm and pulse back en route.

If it’s any consolation, the patient lives right down the street from me to this day (one hazard of small-town life) – and hates me.

Literally crosses the street to avoid me when we see each other.

By: Trauma Junkie

Trauma Junkie — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:33:25 +0000

You didn’t know that he was a DNR. You did your job.

An ROSC is a good thing. It’s horrible that the past had a do not resuscitate order, but had they told you this, you would not have resuscitated him. It’s a win/lose situation.

By: 40lizard

40lizard — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 14:19:34 +0000

Epi,

I know exactly how you feel (from personal, not professional) experience. But this one was not anything you did wrong- no one told you guys that there was a DNR in place! therefore, you did exactly what you were trained to do! It’s a 50/50 crapshoot anytime you resucitate someone!

By: On The Road

On The Road — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 06:59:14 +0000

ROSC is a win. It’s a win for the Healthcare Professional over nature. The only question is

Which team is the patient rooting for?

By: Epijunky

Epijunky — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:47:06 +0000

Thanks Whit… I’ve done a pedi code once… Worst thing I’ve ever been through. Stuck with me ever since.

Thanks for your good luck wishes, god knows I’ll need ‘em… especially ten months from now when I’m flipping out :)

By: whit

whit — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:41:08 +0000

Sorry to hear that Epi. I know it sucks, I’ve been there recently myself, with a pedi no less. CPR is exhausting, mentally and physically.
Love reading your stuff, and am super excited that you’re back in medic school. Good luck!

By: Epijunky

Epijunky — Fri, 11 Sep 2009 03:39:33 +0000

Hey Happy :)

I knew it before, but thanks to this run I’ve got confirmation. It’s not always about the glory. More often than not it isn’t.