When your patients tell you....

I have learned that when your patients tell you they are going to die, it's generally a good idea to listen to them, especially when it is accompanied by a complaint of chest pain or breathing problems or some other such issue.

The last patient that told me that proceeded to code as we lifted the cot up about 2 minutes later.

My partner are I were able to obtain ROSC within a few minutes and delivered her to the ED blinking her eyes and indicating that she wanted the ETT removed from her trachea. She ultimately passed away a few days later due to severe cardiac ischemia, but we at least helped to buy her and her family some time to make arrangements and say goodbye.

So when your patients tell you they think that they are going to die, they probably are right (as long as they aren't in labor or strung out on crack or having a huge fight with their SO).

Things that make you go hmmmmmm

While randomly surfing today, I happened upon this article:


The Associated Press

HAYDEN, Idaho --

A man who believed he bore the "mark of the beast" used a circular saw to cut off one hand, then he cooked it in the microwave and called 911, authorities said.

The man, in his mid-20s, was calm when Kootenai County sheriff's deputies arrived Saturday in this northern Idaho town. He was in protective custody in the mental health unit of Kootenai Medical Center.

"It had been somewhat cooked by the time the deputy arrived," sheriff's Capt. Ben Wolfinger said. "He put a tourniquet on his arm before, so he didn't bleed to death. That kind of mental illness is just sad."

It was not immediately clear whether the man has a history of mental illness. Hospital spokeswoman Lisa Johnson would not say whether an attempt was made to reattach the hand, citing patient confidentiality.


Hmmmmmmm. Makes you wonder doesn't it?

10 Random Facts EMS Style

Well, I tried to keep it in the EMS style but it was HARD!!! Now it's your turn. How would you answer these questions?

10 RANDOM FACTS
1. I prefer text messaging to voicemail.
2. I multi task well.
3. I can get orders for just about anything from Dr. L.
4. I love my firefighters, I'd do anything for them.
5. I make the cot the same way every single time. I even go out of my way to fix it.
6. I crank up the stereo on the way to calls, especially bad ones.
7. I can see through most drug seekers.
8. I hate cheesy medical drama shows, but I still watch them anyways.
9. I hate working with incompetent people.
10. I don't like fake people.

9 WAYS TO WIN MY HEART
1. Offer to help lift the cot.
2. Bring me coffee, it is the liquid of life!
3. Understand that I don't wake up until about 10 AM.
4. Know when I need you to just listen.
5. Hold me while I cry about a patient that I lost after trying hard to save them.
6. Ask when you don't know how to do something, I promise that I won't get mad.
7. Tell me the truth, even if it's not what I want to hear.
8. Offer to be take the groping old man so I don't have to.
9. Call me and let me know that you are there for me.

8 THINGS I CARRY EVERYDAY
1. Cell Phone
2. Stethoscope
3. ID Badge
4. Wallet
5. My coupon binder
6. Diet Coke
7. Travel Coffee Mug with lots of coffee
8. Glasses

7 THINGS THAT ANNOY ME
1. Backstabbers
2. Ignorance
3. Unemployment
4. People who interrupt me
5. Being so far away from my family
6. Not knowing who to trust
7. Short people with a complex

6 STATES I'VE VISITED
1. California
2. Arizona
3. Florida
4. Minnesota
5. Illinois
6. Michigan

5 THINGS I WANT TO DO BEFORE I DIE
1. Be debt free
2. Become a flight medic
3. Be respected in my field
4. Go back to school and finish my degree
5. Organize my life

4 THINGS I'M AFRAID OF
1. Failing at life and love
2. Being alone for the rest of my life
3. Making mistakes
4. Hurting those I love

3 THINGS I DO EVERYDAY
1. Send and receive Email
2. Try to thank God for the blessings that I have
3. Write

2 THINGS I'M TRYING NOT TO DO NOW
1. Let my current situation get me down
2. Get depressed

1 PERSON I WANT TO SEE NOW
1. My Mom. Or my Mamas. You know who you ladies are.