You know those moments where all of a sudden you find yourself in the middle of something, and you don't remember how you got there?
During my shift yesterday evening, the poop hit the fan when we had to call a code blue. Since I was nearest to the desk, I activated the code team and returned to the room to see how else I could help. Let me say this - code blue should also be known as code CHOAS because literally it becomes pandemonium. This was the very first code I witnessed and was a part of - so I was hanging close by the room to see what else I could go for. The patient was trached, so we had direct airway access, but he was a bigger built man so the nurse doing compressions was already working up a sweat. When he called out for another to take over, the next thing I know I am whipping on gloves (isolation room too, just to add to the pandemonium!), nudging him to the side, and givin' er like no tomorrow- which this gentleman may not have had, if we hadn't acted so quickly.
Suddenly, mid-compressions, I realize that I am doing freakin' CPR on a patient for the first time ever, whose life is literally slipping away before me. His eyes are open but unseeing, people are shouting and running, and I'm honestly praying that he better not die on me, not while I'm pumping away and feeling rib-bits floating around.
Finally, after what seems like ages, the code team arrives to take over the rodeo. And here's my favourite part - I'm pumping away, focused, but look up long enough to see the lead doc, whoever she was, enter the room and announce , "Ok people, I'm Dr. ---, and I'm running the code from here on. Let's get organized". This one physician takes control of it all and BOOM, I'm like - yes, this is what I could do! I love being bossy and in charge (HA!), and after just jumping in last night, instead of wondering if I have the guts for this stuff now I know that I do. Plus, I watched ER non-stop as child so I'm ready ;)
Thankfully this story had a good ending, cause he lived. The team took over from that point, and at the end of the day our patient was still with us. I work with such a fabulous team, so it certainly wouldn't have been possible without them. It was great to receive a pat on the back from the other nurses who commended my jumping in, and to hear the code team say that our CPR kept him alive.
After all this hubbub calmed down, we continued on our shift, until a bedbug was found in another room. But I suppose that's another post for another time!
Cheers,
D.
During my shift yesterday evening, the poop hit the fan when we had to call a code blue. Since I was nearest to the desk, I activated the code team and returned to the room to see how else I could help. Let me say this - code blue should also be known as code CHOAS because literally it becomes pandemonium. This was the very first code I witnessed and was a part of - so I was hanging close by the room to see what else I could go for. The patient was trached, so we had direct airway access, but he was a bigger built man so the nurse doing compressions was already working up a sweat. When he called out for another to take over, the next thing I know I am whipping on gloves (isolation room too, just to add to the pandemonium!), nudging him to the side, and givin' er like no tomorrow- which this gentleman may not have had, if we hadn't acted so quickly.
Suddenly, mid-compressions, I realize that I am doing freakin' CPR on a patient for the first time ever, whose life is literally slipping away before me. His eyes are open but unseeing, people are shouting and running, and I'm honestly praying that he better not die on me, not while I'm pumping away and feeling rib-bits floating around.
Finally, after what seems like ages, the code team arrives to take over the rodeo. And here's my favourite part - I'm pumping away, focused, but look up long enough to see the lead doc, whoever she was, enter the room and announce , "Ok people, I'm Dr. ---, and I'm running the code from here on. Let's get organized". This one physician takes control of it all and BOOM, I'm like - yes, this is what I could do! I love being bossy and in charge (HA!), and after just jumping in last night, instead of wondering if I have the guts for this stuff now I know that I do. Plus, I watched ER non-stop as child so I'm ready ;)
Thankfully this story had a good ending, cause he lived. The team took over from that point, and at the end of the day our patient was still with us. I work with such a fabulous team, so it certainly wouldn't have been possible without them. It was great to receive a pat on the back from the other nurses who commended my jumping in, and to hear the code team say that our CPR kept him alive.
After all this hubbub calmed down, we continued on our shift, until a bedbug was found in another room. But I suppose that's another post for another time!
Cheers,
D.
3 comments:
love looking back over the past four years through your blog - what an awesome journey!
And you will absolutely rock one day being 'in charge' !
Awesome work, Danielle! I love reading your posts. Hope one day your dreams come true and you are the lead doc on the code team :)
Nicole Petrie
what an amazing experience!
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