Accident Scenes: Do You Always Offer Assistance?

Nurses General Nursing

Published

You are reading page 5 of Accident Scenes: Do You Always Offer Assistance?

LCinTraining

308 Posts

I'm deeply saddened for your situation. I wish you peace.

I do want to offer some sides that may show things do get lost in translation. Or at least one side.

At my last job, as an interfacility transport EMT, I was doing a solo wheelchair run. On route to the facility (no patient yet) I witness a the vehicle in front of me veer off the road into a ditch. Obviously, I had to help. I saw the accident and proceeded to call my boss as I ran to grab gloves alerting that I was calling 911 (he thought I caused the accident b/c I was so short LOL). As I walked to where I could see the accident they were already out of the vehicle and I was able to assess there was head trauma (in spite of them walking) and two patients, but I could not safely get to them where they were. While I instructed them to stay put, I dialed 911. Indicated I had TWO patients. Both with head injuries. I would need two vehicles. I also gave approximate ages. By this point the patients were out of the ditch because they refused to stay put, and I proceeded to instruct them to be still while I grabbed the bloodiest one, held C-spine and started taking a history. I had the vehicle behind me stop and told him where he could grab gloves and instructed him on how to hold c-spine and that it was all we could do.

So, back track...I very clearly indicated two patients (I repeated this fact and requested two ambulances), with head injuries. Arrive on scene the first responder. He promptly reprimands me for not clarifying that there were two patients and that he would need to dispatch another. Something clearly was lost in translation.

All that to say, we don't really know what this woman told 911. All we know is what the EMS providoers on scene extrapolated from dispatch. She may have called. She may have given all the information, but the guy on the other end of the line didn't quite get what she was saying.

I do hope she learns though to stop driving erratically. I am horribly sorry for your grief. And nothing I can say will make it better. I just know, having worked EMS, things are rarely what we are dispatched for. So I thought I'd clarify. Please hug yourself tonight. You have much grieving to do. Be kind to yourself. If you need to seek legal action to find peace, do so. Much love, to you and your family.

JW2011

20 Posts

Thank you. I appreciate your input. I haven't really had the opportunity to find out all the details in depth yet, and it will take legal action to have access to it. I think I will pursue that much as I believe I need to have my questions answered or I will never have closure.

What a world we live in, that the family of a deceased child isn't allowed to see complete reports, recordings, etc., without a court order.

I am horribly sorry for your grief. And nothing I can say will make it better. I just know, having worked EMS, things are rarely what we are dispatched for. So I thought I'd clarify. Please hug yourself tonight. You have much grieving to do. Be kind to yourself. If you need to seek legal action to find peace, do so. Much love, to you and your family.
Specializes in LTC, CPR instructor, First aid instructor..

When I was an EMT, and living in NY state, I approached an upside down car on the median of an interstate. A nurse was already there. I introduced myself, and told her I was an EMT. (I even had the official license plates on my car) She responded by saying, "You're the real deal. I'll let you handle this one." I then went to the car, saw the driver covered in red. I began to examine him when he embarrassedly said; "It's spaghetti sauce. I'm okay." That incident made a great memory for me. :)

CountyRat

323 Posts

Specializes in Wilderness Medicine, ICU, Adult Ed..

JW, I am deeply ashamed of my flippant and irrelevant responses to your post. I had no idea that you were referring to such a heart breaking personal tragedy. If I had, I would not have posted the comments that I did. Please forgive my inappropriate tone, used in ignorance. God bless you and your family.

Specializes in 4.

IMO I couldn't live with myself if I didn't stop. I am not judging others either. This is just me. I took an oath to unselfishly help others and that applies to my personal life as well as professional. OP....I am sorry that she/he didn't do the right thing & I am sorry for what you & your family are going thru at this time.

JW2011

20 Posts

CountryRat, that's ok, I understand that you didn't know. I have to tell you though, that your post made me cry, as that is more of an apology that I will probably ever get from this woman that hit and killed my son! I am a forgiving person, but it's hard to do when someone doesn't ask to be forgiven...

Thank you.

JW2011

20 Posts

Well, you know, I think that is why I am having such a hard time with what she didn't do, as I know there is no way, particularly if I knew I was in anyway responsible that I wouldn't do whatever I could. I am a GNA that has worked with Hospice patients, private duty mostly, and don't claim to know anywhere near what most here do, but my experiences, particulary in seeing death and dying in that field, would have helped me to keep my calm in this situation. I know I could have checked for a pulse or breathing without having to move him. In her job, she has that experience and more on an RN level. Even without that, I know I would have been on my knees in prayer while calling 911, and would have laid hands on him to at least pray.

Do you think that the EMS operator would have asked her to check his vitals if she had been able to calm herself? I didn't think to ask them that.

IMO I couldn't live with myself if I didn't stop. I am not judging others either. This is just me. I took an oath to unselfishly help others and that applies to my personal life as well as professional. OP....I am sorry that she/he didn't do the right thing & I am sorry for what you & your family are going thru at this time.
Specializes in FNP, ONP.

edited: initially responded frankly without having read the entire thread; decided the comment would not add anything valuable to the root of the OPs query.

Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN

1 Article; 20,908 Posts

Specializes in Critical Care, ED, Cath lab, CTPAC,Trauma.
Well, you know, I think that is why I am having such a hard time with what she didn't do, as I know there is no way, particularly if I knew I was in anyway responsible that I wouldn't do whatever I could. I am a GNA that has worked with Hospice patients, private duty mostly, and don't claim to know anywhere near what most here do, but my experiences, particulary in seeing death and dying in that field, would have helped me to keep my calm in this situation. I know I could have checked for a pulse or breathing without having to move him. In her job, she has that experience and more on an RN level. Even without that, I know I would have been on my knees in prayer while calling 911, and would have laid hands on him to at least pray.

Do you think that the EMS operator would have asked her to check his vitals if she had been able to calm herself? I didn't think to ask them that.

Why not write her a letter. Even if you don't send it. It might help you to get it all out of your soul and on paper. I am not defending her behavio..... but one thing that nursing has taught me is that you never know what someones personal burdens are that cause one behavior over the next. The the truth is always stranger than fiction......and the only predicable thing about humans is that humans are unpredictable.

I have seen seasoned Firefighters, Police, EMT's, nurses absolutely freak out/freeze/breakdown become incapacitated by some extreme horror in front of them. They may have been doing the job for years and years and seen horrible things the that one thing at that one moment..... the stars align......and they freeze, breakdown, panic. Even when you are exposed to these things on a regular basis...you just pray every time that you have the strength to do it again.

I have done search and rescue.....I have seen some terrible things. I remember on one occasion my seasoned highly trained dog refused to get out of the car. She took one look outside and retreated. It took me several minutes and allowing her to recoup, take in the scene.....for the actual reason for the disaster was man made......before she dercided to come with me. I actually think she decide to search because she feared for me and not the love of the search.....for the first time EVER she hesitated. I was stunned....and forthe first time....she was afraid.

You just don't know. I don't know what your sons injuries were but there are injuries that just cannot be survived. I am not so sure even if she took a pulse there would be any change in the outcome for your son. There is no way on a dark road vitals can be taken. Even if she had.....that doesn't change the injuries that were fatal. Maybe she doesn't know how to pray.

You deserve an apology....you really do. From the bottom of my heart I wish I could make her face you. This may sound crazy.......call Dr. Phil. Write him a letter. See if he can her you get the closure that you need. See if he can arrange a meeting with her so you can let her "know your anguish" so you can move on........he has done it before. But at least write him .....he maybe able to help.

Again, you have my heartfelt sympathies. Your pain is palpable........I wish you peace.

Alex Egan, LPN, EMT-B

4 Articles; 857 Posts

Specializes in Home Health (PDN), Camp Nursing.

Not to defend the RN who struck your son, but I would like to relay my expearences. I am a nurse and an EMT. I have answered over 600 emergency calls. Both times I have been involved in accidents, I have not been able to perfectly relay my location. Accidents are very disorientating, and even Uninjured parties can be in shock. I was in the ambulance when a vehicle crossed the double yellow and struck us. I have very little memory of what happened after the accident. I know I was wondering around the scene, Uninjured but confused. I didn't even have a head Injury, I was simpily in shock. I have listened to the tapes of me on the radio giving incorrect location and requesting a single bls ambulance. Thank God for the fire captan who was following us to the call, she was relaying correct information and asked for the four ambulances that were required. I know you blame the nurse for not acting, but I urge you to consider that even trained individuals may not proform to the level you expect, and leagally mandating nurses to proform skills they are not trained in, or due to circumstances cannot proform may cause more harm then good. I'm deeply sorry for your loss, and I cannot tell you what to do with your feelings against this woman. I can only relay my expearence and hope it gives some perspective.

mindlor

1,341 Posts

I too am sorry for the tragic loss of your beloved son.

But in the more general context of the title of the post...

No, I do not stop. Our crazy litigious society just creates too much risk.

I evaluate the scene...if people are milling about, even bloody but obviously in no imminent danger, I call 911.

If I feel that there is a life in dire straits well then I stop and do what I can.

We just must be very careful to stay within our scope of practice.....its really tricky....

JW2011

20 Posts

I did face her, she came to my home, and I welcomed her, even held her hand as I asked for the truth.. what I learned that day was that she didn't apply brakes until after she had hit him, that was the first I knew that, as the police had made it sound like she had attempted to stop and couldn't stop in time, big difference... anyway, she told me she had a miscarriage as a result of the crash, and a week later I found out that was nothing but a LIE, one that she repeated to the investigating officer. Later she corrected the information to them, but they didn't see that as a reason to not be able to trust her words, and basically based their investigation on her interpretation of what happened, as there were no other witnesses.

She showed no remorse, just kept repeating she didn't see him, and when I asked what she did for him, she spoke of having trouble finding her phone, and said there was nothing to do, that she knew he was gone. She didn't mention freaking out or not being able to tell EMS where she was. It was months later that we learned there was alcohol and drugs in the car. Lack of laws, poorly organized investigation, let her off scott free.

I have often said, and continue to feel that I wish this had been an elderly person with failing eyesight, that would honestly just say they didn't see him in time, and they were SORRY! Instead I have someone that got her vehicle fixed and continues to ride by our home, knowing how much it upsets us. That is only a drop in the bucket of things she has done since, very cold and deliberate. Her friends, and my acquaintances, have said that she has made it all about her, never talking about the effect it has had on our family.

I don't think she would go on Dr. Phil's show, she has WAY too many skeletons in her closet.

Why not write her a letter. Even if you don't send it. It might help you to get it all out of your soul and on paper. I am not defending her behavio..... but one thing that nursing has taught me is that you never know what someones personal burdens are that cause one behavior over the next. The the truth is always stranger than fiction......and the only predicable thing about humans is that humans are unpredictable.

You just don't know. I don't know what your sons injuries were but there are injuries that just cannot be survived. I am not so sure even if she took a pulse there would be any change in the outcome for your son. There is no way on a dark road vitals can be taken. Even if she had.....that doesn't change the injuries that were fatal. Maybe she doesn't know how to pray.

You deserve an apology....you really do. From the bottom of my heart I wish I could make her face you. This may sound crazy.......call Dr. Phil. Write him a letter. See if he can her you get the closure that you need. See if he can arrange a meeting with her so you can let her "know your anguish" so you can move on........he has done it before. But at least write him .....he maybe able to help.

Again, you have my heartfelt sympathies. Your pain is palpable........I wish you peace.

+ Add a Comment