Had an elderly guy brought into the ER earlier this afternoon, unresponsive. Started the whole CPR process, I was on chest compressions. After a few minutes of that, bag-breathing, and various medicines going into him, we got a pulse in his neck and a blood pressure of 60/40ish, which is terrible, but it was a sign we were bringing him back.
He started to decrease though, and part of it was the family wanted him to go peacefully, didn't want us to do much too extensive for him. About 20 minutes later time was called. I'm not disagreeing with them, because this guy had been struggling for a while it seemed and they thought it was finally his time to go. I'm fine with that, don't take this as me disagreeing and thinking we could have saved him had they given us more options.

In my three years of working at the hospital, this was my first experience in performing CPR and trying to bring an unresponsive person back. I've seen a number of patients pass that were DNR and even performed the whole post-mortem care, but this was my first time trying to save someone.

It goes without saying that we cannot be sorry enough for the family members present, because I think this was kind of unexpected for them. But as the caregivers, it bothers us a lot too, at least me. We have a lot invested in this business, and it's our job to do the best we can to save patients. Obviously we're working against fate, and some people die no matter what. That's life.
I don't know, not really looking for sympathy, just venting. I love my job, and would much rather be on the inside trying to save someone. But these type of tragic incidents always put a damper on you when it happens on your watch.

We need people like yourself giving care to those who need it, I'd definitely rather have you working on my kid than someone without compassion.

Sounds like you did everything you could do but I can see why this would bother you. Hang in there!!

I lost one this morning too...although, I'd say she was pretty far gone before we got to her. The nursing home had already initiated CPR, so we started where they left off and made the best of it....good skills practice at the least. Sometimes there is just nothing that you can do. People are going to die; being able to go home at night and say that you did your best is the important thing.

ccrunner609 wrote: I am surprised that this is the first time in 3 years that you have had this happen. remember the first time my buddy Kent came home with the same story. Lost his first patient and he was pretty tore up.

Well in telemetry where I usually work, a patient randomly coding and dieing just does not happen. A few times in ICU I've been apart of the code, but we've usually managed to stabilize them. This was the first time I had actually been apart of the process of trying to save them. Unfortunately, I think this guy was closer to dead before he even got there. Paramedics couldn't do anything for him, but we at least got a carotid pulse and blood pressure before he started to crash again. You'd be surprised how many critical patients UVMC doesn't receive. If taking them to Miami Valley or Good Sam is at all possible, that's where they go.

I saw Kent earlier -- he got called in for a colostomy around 7pm (that must suck). Every once in a while I'll spend a couple of days up in surgery and one of the more recent times he asked me if I was the one that knew you.

That has to be very rough to separate work from everyday life.

I think it goes without saying that we appreciate everything you guys do. I would never doubt that you did everything you could.

that stinks.