Archives for August 2018

It was a brisk fall evening when the dispatch tones pierced the quiet station. “Medic 1 respond to 5960 New Haven Road. 79 year old female sick and wants to be transported to the hospital.” Time out 1843.

The medic unit was out quickly and on our arrival we found a female standing on the front porch with her suitcase in hand. She started walking towards the medic unit before the vehicle came to a complete stop.

After the patient was placed inside the medic unit we obtained a history. She stated that she has been feeling bad for several days. Nauseous and neck pain were the two main symptoms. Vital signs were obtained and she was placed on the cardiac monitor.

As the patient was talking to us she shivered. When we asked what was wrong she stated she had a cold chill. Her eyes rolled back and she went into cardiac arrest. After a lengthy resuscitation the patient was pronounced dead.

This case teaches several lessons of importance. One, never discredit a patient. It would be easy to shrug off the patient because she has been ill for several days. Why call us now? After all she had her suitcase packed and she was waiting on the front porch for us. What the heck? Does she think we are a taxi service?

Our job is not to judge our patients but to care for them. Our patient was sick. Unfortunately she waited too long to seek medical attention. Hesitation cost her, her life. Compassion is a trait that defines the great medic verses a mediocre medic. If you don’t care get out of the profession.

The next lesson we were taught is women do not present with the same symptoms of heart attack as men. Here is a list of symptoms that women may have when experiencing a heart attack.

1. Neck pain

2. Jaw pain

3. Epigastric pain

4. Nausea

5. Vomiting

6. Arm pain

7. Chest pain or no chest pain

8. Back pain

9. Braking out in a cold sweat

10. General discomfort 

So as you can see women’s response to heart attacks are different. They may be subtle and may appear minor at first. Seek medical attention if you have any of the above signs and symptoms.

As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another

1Peter 4:10

Medic 1 respond to 9234 Kelsey Street, report of a 22 year old male with multiple gunshot wounds. Police are on scene. Time out 2314. After a short response we arrive on scene. We find a young man lying on the ground bleeding heavily from a chest wound and a leg wound.

The young man was attempting to rob a gas station when the police arrived and engaged the suspect. A shoot out resulted and the young man was shot twice. No other injuries were found at the scene.

The young man was semiconscious. His blood pressure was 86/52, pulse 122, respirations 28. The chest wound was bleeding badly and pressure was applied in an attempt to control the bleeding. 

Blood continued to flow in spite of the direct pressure. Next the the wound was packed with gauze, lots of gauze. The wound is packed with gauze until no more gauze can be packed. Pressure is then applied over the wound and it appears the bleeding is controlled. 

My partner has been working on the leg wound. It appears the femoral artery has been severed. A tourniquet has been applied above the wound and tightened. The bleeding did not stop so a second tourniquet was applied above the first. The bleeding appears to be controlled. 

The patient is placed in the medic unit and and we proceed to the hospital. On the way two IVs are started to help replace some of the lost fluid. We must monitor the fluid carefully because if we raise his pressure too high it could cause the clots in his chest to break loose and bleeding would start up again. If we can keep his systolic pressure in the 90s that should be sufficient.

At the hospital, the patient is taken directly to the operating room, after a short examination in the ER. He will survive his wounds and stand trial for his crime.

Gunshot wounds demand quick and effective treatment to stop bleeding. You may not have the equipment that we have but you can improvise. Instead of gauze use a clean cloth. A belt or a wide piece of cloth may be used instead of a tourniquet. In today’s society it is a skill everyone should learn.

Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Philippians 2:4