Code tonight.

Nurses General Nursing

Published

Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

So just felt like posting about a code we had at the end of my shift. Was finishing up some charting and getting ready to clock out when an aide went running by saying we got a code blue. Took off after her and got to the room. Now this guy is a vent dependent and had come unhooked somehow. Unresponsive, no pulse, etc.. Crash cart rolls in and I help get the backboard under him. Two RT's are there at this time, and dear ole Maggie starts compressions while the other ambus. Maggie, bless her soul is a 75 year old Brit firplug, but just didnt have enough to do good enough compressions. she woulda probably ended up next in line! lol. So I jumped in and took over on compressions. Heard a couple ribs pop, hope they didnt break. Everyone kept asking if i needed a break but after about 15 minutes or so and we got a damn pulse! then some shallow breaths n such. Paramedics show up and he's got a sat of 96% but still unresponsive. So that was a couple hours ago and he may not have made it to the hospital, wont know till tomorrow/today. But this was my first code where we actually got someone back. Thanks for listening to my ramble.

Specializes in NICU.

He was alive when you left, and may well have not been if you hadn't been there. You done good.

Specializes in critical care, PACU.

good for you :) and I hope it works out

always seems to happen at end or beginning of shift l0l. I am suprised that he didn't get shocked if you had to do compression for 15min, most of our doctors will shock if nothing after 8 minutes or so

Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

I work in LTC and my "facility" believes AEDS are a liability. Go figure. And they cost money also. Thanks all.

AEDS reduce liability. Its a case of penny wise/pound foolish. One way to address the need for an AED is to work with your volunteer services or contact an area service club.

The Mdewahkanton Sioux have donated many AEDs to neighboring communities out of casino proceeds.

Congratulations on getting them back. My only code did not come back. :((.

Specializes in Peds/outpatient FP,derm,allergy/private duty.
I work in LTC and my "facility" believes AEDS are a liability. Go figure. And they cost money also. Thanks all.

Wow, compressions for 15 minutes, I'm sure dear Maggie would have dropped, I know we're "sposed to be all gender neutral and everything, but thank God more and more men are entering nursing!! :bow:

I didn't know it was OK not to have an AED at an LTC because it's so integral to BLS- seems like if you are required to have current BLS for Healthcare Providers cards they should have the equipment there to do it!!

Specializes in ED, CTSurg, IVTeam, Oncology.

to the op:

there is immense personal emotional satisfaction in being able to "bring one back" and you'll likely remember your first, for as long as you put on that uniform. if there is anything that makes a nurse really genuinely feel like a nurse, saving someone's life ranks pretty well near the top. ;)

congratulations on a job well done, nurse! :up:

Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

Thank you, Thank you. And last I heard he is still in ICU. And it does feel good. I know it's my job to do these things, but man! To help bring someone back, just feels darn good.

Just a question, don't you have alarms on your vents?

Specializes in LTC/Subacute.

Xkimmie518x, good question. Yes we do but the alarm in the hall wasnt working, just the one in the room. Sorta SOP at this place. Just thankful the rt was checking as she always does. Otherwise woulda turned out a bit different. Maggie sets up a workstation in the hall with our vents for that very reason. all about the bottom line. If it aint workin, dont fix it. sad but true.

Specializes in Critical Care.
Took off after her and got to the room. Now this guy is a vent dependent and had come unhooked somehow.

If this was indeed the case, why weren't any vent alarms going off; or heard; or responded to (depending on what the case may be)? That is a glaringly huge gap in liability for an institution.

If you weren't the first in the room, it's just as likely that the patient was taken off the ventilator for CPR as manual bagging is the standard of care when chest compressions are being performed.

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