Cardioverting A Nurse Coworker?

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Have any of you had to cardiovert a coworker? I'm a nurse and was cardioverted recently, 3 shocks conscious, and was wondering if any of you had to do this to a coworker, particularly a female coworker. I was laying there with my lovely chest exposed to my fellow coworkers, mostly females thank goodness as it was late in the evening. It all happened pretty quickly, and I know I shouldn't be embrassed, but thankfully we all had a pretty good laugh about it later.

Caroline

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Yes, I have...

During my time in PICU we were having a regional peds meeting with docs and management of regional hospitals discussing critical pediatric transport from regional ERs to our service center when my day shift supervisor experienced an acute cardiac incident (she discovered later that she had a prolapsed mitral valve).

We had to conduct a full resus with cardioversion. Yes she was very embarrassed after, but she was more grateful.

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.

working nights one night, and the respiratory therapist talked one of my colleagues into putting him on the monitor because he was having palpitations. i was charge and watching the monitors, and when the ecg from room 6 came online, i was startled -- not only because there wasn't a patient in room 6, but because the tracing was obviously vt. suspecting a practical joke (and not without cause), i bustled into room 6 to find the rt, open shirt with chest leads in place and a very panicked rn. rt had his eyes rolled back in his head and was rather ashen. without pausing for thought, i hauled off and thumped the rt . . . converted him, too! one of the few times i've ever seen a precordial thump work.

then i called a code -- the rn had fainted.

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Yes, I have...

During my time in PICU we were having a regional peds meeting with docs and management of regional hospitals discussing critical pediatric transport from regional ERs to our service center when my day shift supervisor experienced an acute cardiac incident (she discovered later that she had a prolapsed mitral valve).

We had to conduct a full resus with cardioversion. Yes she was very embarrassed after, but she was more grateful.

Does your acute cardiac incident mean a cardiac arrest for your day shift supervisor? How long was she down? I was lucky someone was around or mine would have been worse. I remember the first 2 shocks they gave me, but was unconscious for the last one. My best friend who I work with had opened my dress right away and called for the crash cart. I was telling her I was ok and she said no you're not. I think she did a quick look at the rhythm with the paddles, but then got me in one of the rooms and put me on the monitor. Even though I've seen and used the defib, it sure it different when you're receiving it. I am petite and the shocks rocked me pretty good, and have some nice red marks from the paddles.

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Geesh...that is quite a story!

Jan (not her real name) was sitting right next to me, with one of our Medical Directors on the other side. As I said, there was quite a diverse group of us present having a meeting so I wasn't paying direct attention to her.

I heard someone say, "Jan?" and I looked over and she was very pale and looked unfocused but she did look toward the voice. Immediately after that her head just dropped to the table - BANG - and then she fell out of her chair.

Everything happened REALLY fast after that. There were at least 3 ACLS trained RNs, beside myself, in the room and 2 other physicians in addition to our doc sitting next to her. The PICU code team was the closest and therefore the first to respond to resus their co-worker. It was a once in a life time thing for me - I hope.

She was not awake and had no memory of the acute event.

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How many times did you have to shock her? Do you have an email address? You can email me at [email protected]

I'm going to have an EP test soon. That should be interesting. I'm wearing a lifecor defib vest for now. It's somewhat interesting too. LOL.

Caroline

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Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

Gosh, it was more than 15 years ago...we shocked her more than once, but I think only twice.

The weirdest part for me was doing CPR on a co-worker while waiting for our team...I was happy to step back when they arrived. Honestly, I was a bit shook up by the whole ordeal.

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Specializes in MICU - CCRN, IR, Vascular Surgery.

I've never cardioverted another nurse, but when I was a nurse intern, I helped cardiovert one of our doctors!

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Thanks for the replies. I might be spending a little more time on the board for the next few days. I'm wearing the Lifecor Defib Vest now. Had a rough week last week and going for more tests this week. Have any of you worked with patients with the Lifecor Defib Vest?

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Specializes in CCU, SICU, CVSICU, Precepting & Teaching.
thanks for the replies. i might be spending a little more time on the board for the next few days. i'm wearing the lifecor defib vest now. had a rough week last week and going for more tests this week. have any of you worked with patients with the lifecor defib vest?

i've never heard of the lifecor defib vest, but i did want to say i'm sorry for your troubles, and i hope you're feeling better soon.

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Specializes in Med-Surg, & ED.
Thanks for the replies. I might be spending a little more time on the board for the next few days. I'm wearing the Lifecor Defib Vest now. Had a rough week last week and going for more tests this week. Have any of you worked with patients with the Lifecor Defib Vest?

I hope you feel better soon to.

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Specializes in PCU.

Hey, Carolinef, hope all your tests have gone ok.

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