So happy for the patient! And then..

[evilolive, BSN, RN]

Had a "frequent flyer" admitted to my unit on Thursday night right at change of shift. This patient spent months on my unit more than a few times, and was known to have an enormous stage IV pressure ulcer. I went to assess with the day nurse, and WOW! The stage IV was healed!! Unbelievable. I was so happy for the patient, I couldn't stop talking about how great her back looked and how good the ECF had done at keeping that area closed.

I was a happy nurse that night, patient was pain-free, had a great attitude.

And then at 7:30am she coded. I had to find her agonally breathing, and by the more staff got in the room she completely stopped. That was not a fun way to end such a positive shift. She is still alive in one of the ICUs as far as I know.

Not a great way to end an upbeat shift.

[yetanotheramanda]

ah man, that's a bummer. I can really sympathize with the emotios you must be having, really high to really low.

BTW, you sound like a really great, caring nurse.

[dthfytr, ADN, LPN, RN, EMT-B, EMT-I]

Really sucks. She's so lucky you came in and found her that way. A while longer and she might have made a celestial discharge. Would you normally have gone into see her then or was this pure chance? Keep up the good work, may all your patients be compliant, and all your orders legible.

[GRUNGE]

Every time i try to get out they bring me back in

[evilolive, BSN, RN]

I had checked on her a little after 6am and she was still breathing, might have appeared a bit lethargic, but I attributed it to her being up from 1-5am... it was pure chance that I found her that way. Someone just got vitals on her 20 minutes prior... I just happened to walk by on my way back from the restroom on my way out...

Poor lady, it was at least her 4th time coding on our floor (in the SAME room!)