Wild Day

Specialties Emergency

Published

Specializes in Emergency Department; Neonatal ICU.

Ugh, nutty day. I had two respiratory failure patients that had initially been stable but then crashed en route for EMS. The first thing I did this morning (before signing in, getting my phone, etc.) was assist with the immediate intubation of the first one. We did our workup, took her to CT, and so one, and got her to ICU, no problem

A few hours later, same exact scenario. Same gender, same age, same initials! Another immediate intubation upon arrival (this one was was SICK - not that the other one wasn't). She was a bit harder to handle sedation/BP-wise but it was okay...kind of...

The kicker was that the SAME ICU nurse admitted this patient. I think they were having major staffing issues because they usually try to avoid multiple admissions for one nurse. I felt so bad for her. I told her she was essentially getting the same patient and I was only partially kidding.... When transferring the second patient to her bed in the unit, it was me, the same unit nurse from earlier that day, the same RT - kind of like a really bad deja vu :)

Oh and by the way, I just have to report (in contrast to the experiences of other posters in another thread) that both of my patients were fully undressed and in a clean gown, had complete and thorough documentation, and there was no poop to be found ;)

Anyone else have a crazy Sunday? It's been out of control for us since Christmas Day.

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Strange how things come in clusters sometimes, isn't it? Whenever that happens, it's almost like someone decided to have a theme day and forgot to tell me.

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Specializes in ER.

Things do come in clusters. Not long ago we had two food boluses within a short time, those are such a hassle! Then we had a few more that week. It was food bolus week, ugh.

What I hate is loser, needy, whiny patient night! One right after another, all meant for me...

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I had 2 resp failures too lol

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Specializes in Gerontology RN-BC and FNP MSN student.

Yes, yesterday was a crazy end to a three day run!!! We were extremely busy as well and got out late... :nurse:

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Specializes in Family practice, emergency.

Oh and by the way, I just have to report (in contrast to the experiences of other posters in another thread) that both of my patients were fully undressed and in a clean gown, had complete and thorough documentation, and there was no poop to be found ;)

You are awesome!

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Specializes in Reproductive & Public Health.

Oh yes, our floor (LDRP) has been SLAMMED since the holidays. Yesterday I was doing a c/s 15 minutes after I walked in the door, followed by a major bleed (same patient) that had me covered up to my elbows in blood. Finally got her stabilized, only to have an active labor walk in the door, got a great initial strip on her, then she puked and the heart rate plummeted. Could not get it back up, and we rolled her back and sectioned her under general, and I spent the rest of the day stabilizing the baby while we waiting for transport from the Children's Hospital ( I work in a small community hospital, no NICU), while trying to keep my postpartums medicated and make sure my bleeder was stable. Charting was a mess, ugh!

I'll tell you, nursing (especially LDRP!) is THE WORST JOB EVER, unless you love it- then it is the best job ever!

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