Andy noticed Doug was stressed out today.
“He should take a cat nap!” [Good idea, Andrew.]
=(^+^)=
An incident at dialysis reminded me that everything can change instantly. Life is fragile.
The incident at dialysis would have been mortal except for one critical factor: it happened in a dialysis unit in a hospital. Other units in other towns are in separate buildings, businesses serving their hospitals but in separate buildings that may be miles away from those hospitals.
In a medical emergency, a patient in my dialysis unit has a minimum of three, four RNs instantly dividing resuscitation chores including calling in more hospital staff. Precious minutes are saved and emergency staff come in to do advanced resuscitation work, taking over from the dialysis staff, who then are free to assist, to verify none of the other patients need immediate attention, and to pull curtains to preserve the patient’s privacy in this intrusive moment of his or her life.
In other dialysis units I’ve been in, a medical emergency like the one here is problematic since staff were an RN supervising trained high school kids (in one place!) who don’t have the extensive skills any one and all of the staff in my unit have. The emergency patient here was resuscitated and stabilized in the dialysis room till she was ready (heart beating, breathing restored) to be moved to the emergency area of the hospital, where she got further lifesaving care.
It was a stressful moment but handled well.
I’m glad that it ended well.
I could have been stress too dear Doug, even by reading. I am so glad everything went fine for you. For this woman too. Love and Hugs to you both, nia
I found out that the reason for the curtains was one of the nurses noticed I was shielding myself from snooping on the scene using my hand.
I am glad you are in a good and most importantly, competent dialysis unit, Doug. Good to hear all ended up well for the woman that had the emergency.
Me, too.
Glad everything worked out at dialysis.
Today, the charge RN talked with the patient by phone and she is doing well!
Scary indeed ! Glad it wasn’t you, by the way – but prayers for the patient. In our area there are a couple of separate dialysis centers (one is in a remodeled fast food restaurant) so your point is well taken. I never thought of it other than that it seemed odd to see them in a shopping center setting.
While it was happening, I said prayers for her and for the people helping her.
I’m glad that everything ended well, Doug. Hi Andy!
Andy says “Mew!”.
Yes, as far as I know, the emergency ended in the dialysis unit and the woman concerned is well and healing.
That’s good!
Oh I’m glad there was a rapid response and a good outcome! I do think cats sense our moods, which helps make their presence so soothing in times of upset.
Yes, I have no doubt the quick response minimized any harmful outcomes.
GI get responses from Andy (and past kitties) that tends to support that.
A harrowing moment but well saved.
It was upsetting, of course, because the woman concerned clearly was experiencing a potentially threat to her life. I was behind a curtain sheltering her and the crew trying to resuscitate her and I heard what was happening. For that matter, the EMT working on her pushed the curtain against me a time or too trying to get a good position to help her.
Quite distressing for you as well, being right next to this situation.
I was encouraged that she came through her emergency well.
I am sure, but meanwhile, you must have had a few unplesant moments.
Yes, I’ve had some, but none where my heart stopped.
That’s good to hear, Doug.
Most salutary
Absolutely! It gives me confidence any one of us having a medical emergency will get timely help.