I fainted

Published

So I went to give flu shots today 6 weeks into the new semester. It was only suppose to take 2 hours. I had a busy morning before I went to the hospital. I didnt eat much, didnt drink much, plus I have low BP to begin with. After standing almost motionless in a closet-sized room for 30 minutes, i fainted. I began feeling dizzy while administering a shot, but I wanted to power through it. I did, and then fell to the ground.

Ended up going to the ER for an EKG to rule out dysrhymmias, but after waiting 5 hours, I left AMA. Didnt even stick around for EKG results cause it woulda taken who knows how many more hours.

So ya, crappy day. Though I got a firsthand experience of how much it sucks to be an ER patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.

I'm sorry to read of your bad day ... but at least it appears you have learned several valuable life lessons.

Take care ... and try to find out the results of any tests done ,,, just in case.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology/Haemetology/HIV.

I fainted once in nursing school.

I was known as the girl with the iron stomach. I had watched open heart surgery, had been to bris, had worked crime scene previously in my life.

So one day during OB/Nursery/PP rotation, I get pulled to the nursery. I had not had breakfast, and get placed in the hottest room in the hospital. And in a county (read charity) hospital there were two students for about 20 babies. Basically go down the line, take vitals , change diaper, feed/take t mom to breastfeed, return, bath, and do it all over again.

So at about 1330, (and I hadn't had lunch either), the MD decides to do some circs, so I prep the baby and assist. Well, as soon as that little baby boy was uncovered and started to cry, I started to break out in a cold sweat, the room started to spin, and I had the thought "do not fall in the sterile field".

When I came to , they had checked my bloodsugar and it was registering "low" too low to be readable.

I learned a valuable lesson, and never let myself go too long without at least having a few crackers. Oh, and never fall into the sterile field.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I wish I had a deep manly voice, so I can reflect upon it as "the day I fell".

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Oh god... I hope I dont get billed for this. :(

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Nursing Professional Development.
Oh god... I hope I dont get billed for this. :(

If a student (or employee) needs medical assistance at my hospital ... there is a bill generated just as there is for any emergency care from ambulances at accidents, etc. It is assumed that the student/employee will be responisble for the health care services provided. It's actally in our contracts with the schools who come to our hospital -- that the school and/or student will pay for any care received.

If you were registered as a patient, used supplies, etc. someone has to pay for those things -- and there will be a bill paid by someone. Your school should have a policy on that. I recommend checking with them to find out their policy about how those bills are handled before you make any assumptions.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I checked my insurance and even though it says it covers ER 100% minus a 50$ deductible, it says /w treatment within 72hrs. Since I left before I got my EKG results, I wonder if they are going to try to deny coverage.

Man that would suck.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

did u see the eye of fire (sauron) when u were out or feel lord vader's sith choke hold, ha, couldn't resist with ur username.

nice to hear ur ok and may the force b with u.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

once you are registered, a bill is generated. Whether you waited for test results or not.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I hope that means my insurance will cover it. Im going to call them tomorrow, should I say that I left before I got my results? Would it be better if I dont mention it? Would they find out anyways?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency/Cath Lab.

Going AMA and your insurance will most the time not cover it.

Sucks that you became a door stop like that ha ha. I went to see an open heart and they made sure I ate that morning. They went so far as to get me a tray of food to eat. I was pretty tight with the cardiac guys so they all thought it was funny.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Im actually reading alot of ppl who say their insurance did in fact pay.

I guess Ill call up the billing dept and my insurance company and explain the situation.

If not, I dont celebrate christmas anywho.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion