Natasha Richardson's TBI and demise

Published

Specializes in CCU, CTICU, PACU.

Does anyone know what treatment she received in Montreal or her condition upon arrival? Just trying to understand how someone can walk off a bunny slope and deteriorate so quickly in light of arriving at a hospital within a window of opportunity for intervention?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

Most likely the delay in getting care. Everything I have read makes it look like it was at least 2hrs before she arrived at any hospital. I get the idea that she was still conscious when the second ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital as there has be some quotes that the crew was on scene for 30 mins or more. Again this is a long time, they may have been trying to convince a reluctant pt to go. I have not gotten any feel however as to if the first hospital had CT scan capability. Then she was ground transfered to the trauma center a couple hours away- there is NO air EMS system in the Montreal area. When one has a hematoma squishing down on the brain they need to be in the OR not in the back of an ambulance.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

This is a duplicate post. The thread exists elsewhere with more responses.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU, CTICU, PACU.
Most likely the delay in getting care. Everything I have read makes it look like it was at least 2hrs before she arrived at any hospital. I get the idea that she was still conscious when the second ambulance arrived to take her to the hospital as there has be some quotes that the crew was on scene for 30 mins or more. Again this is a long time, they may have been trying to convince a reluctant pt to go. I have not gotten any feel however as to if the first hospital had CT scan capability. Then she was ground transfered to the trauma center a couple hours away- there is NO air EMS system in the Montreal area. When one has a hematoma squishing down on the brain they need to be in the OR not in the back of an ambulance.

I read 4 hours from time of hit to arrival to first (local) hospital, where she got her CT. Interesting you say there is not air EMS system in Montreal because I mentioned reading that in the Neuro ICU forum and someone said they DO have it and that there was a huge trauma/neuro unit there and she would have received the same care as here, in a Level 1. They, as many of us, suspect she had herniated prior to arrival, otherwise would have been treated...

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Emergency.

No no rotor air EMS system in that area at all. http://montreal.ctv.ca/servlet/an/local/CTVNews/20090318/mtl_helicopter_090318/20090318/?hub=MontrealHome

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in CCU.

CNN has a special on AC 360 tonight on Richardson. I will tune in, it will certainely learn something!

Hope it will improve standard of care there in Qc! :smackingf

So, sorry this happened! Unfortunately, we know that unless a tragedy occurs, that is when "things" changes; it does not matter how much you fight for the good change... like most of us do each day for the best of our patients... just like the devil in holy water!

Be your patient advocate no matter what! I know I am!:nurse::nurse::smiley_ab

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion