Outrageous ER Stories

[suitebliss]

Hello,

This weekend I was watching a TV show on the Discovery Health Channel and I believe it was Unexplained stories of the E.R. Now, I understand that there will be times (I'm taking prereq's for a Nursing Program) when you'll see things that you never thought you'd see. Anyway, there was this homeless Man that walked into the ER with a mid-calf boot that had completely turned into MAGGOTS! Yes, maggots! My questions to RN's is how often do you come across things like this.

I can stomach a lot of things, but I was grossed out.

Please share your thoughts and insight.

Thank You

[OldPhatMC]

This isn't a new concept or even one limited to the homeless. My grandmother ( I was ten years old at the time) had a gangrenous foot injury secondary to a "poorly executed" surgery. She was at home and was kicking her dressings off regularly. I'm presuming a fly or two found the foot and proceeded to contaminate the would. Now I'm a ten year old boy at the time. Gross is good for me. I was impressed. My mother, MSRIP, on the other hand was a basket case. I remember that Grandma's doc was called and he got there very quickly to clean the would and prescribe even more treatments.

I was so completely traumatized that I became a nurse and want to either get into WOC nursing or roadie for punk rock bands. Maybe both.

It's very gross, that's why these patients end up in your decontamination rooms first. Frankly the maggots aren't really damaging that much. It could be argued that they are debriding the wound. In fact, I think I've seen that technique someplace. But there's no denying the shock factor.

When I started in EMS I learned that you need to be able to see "through" the wound to the underlying key issue. More important, don't let maggots distract you from airway, breathing, circulation. Once you know that the patient will last five minutes, you can see what is going on such as sepsis, gangrene, malnutrition,... you know, all that assessment stuff.

No maggot is an immediate threat to life. A fifteen foot boa constrictor, well that's another story. That is also why the ED has security staff.

I hope this helps. You'll look at this someday and .... feel like upchucking... but on your terms.

Keep plugging. It will get wierder!

OldPhatMC

[Blee O'Myacin, BSN, RN]

After awhile nothing shocks you, you learn fast to get out of the way and to check your clothes and shoes for unwanted taggers along when you get home from work.

I've seen maggots on (in) people twice. I've been a nurse for about 4 years. So I'd hazard a guess that maggots are fairly commonplace.

Take a look in the ER forums. I'm sure there are plenty of threads along these lines.

Blee

[Scrabbler]

We had an underpriveliged woman in LDR for her 9th (that's right) delivery, stated she "hardly gained any weight this time". Low and behold when she pushed babe's head out she defecated (not uncommon) and umpteen million tapeworms shot out of her with such force and odour the LDR nurse ran out of the room to vomit. Ew.

[suitebliss]

this isn't a new concept or even one limited to the homeless. my grandmother ( i was ten years old at the time) had a gangrenous foot injury secondary to a "poorly executed" surgery. she was at home and was kicking her dressings off regularly. i'm presuming a fly or two found the foot and proceeded to contaminate the would. now i'm a ten year old boy at the time. gross is good for me. i was impressed. my mother, msrip, on the other hand was a basket case. i remember that grandma's doc was called and he got there very quickly to clean the would and prescribe even more treatments.

i was so completely traumatized that i became a nurse and want to either get into woc nursing or roadie for punk rock bands. maybe both.

it's very gross, that's why these patients end up in your decontamination rooms first. frankly the maggots aren't really damaging that much. it could be argued that they are debriding the wound. in fact, i think i've seen that technique someplace. but there's no denying the shock factor.

when i started in ems i learned that you need to be able to see "through" the wound to the underlying key issue. more important, don't let maggots distract you from airway, breathing, circulation. once you know that the patient will last five minutes, you can see what is going on such as sepsis, gangrene, malnutrition,... you know, all that assessment stuff.

no maggot is an immediate threat to life. a fifteen foot boa constrictor, well that's another story. that is also why the ed has security staff.

i hope this helps. you'll look at this someday and .... feel like upchucking... but on your terms.

keep plugging. it will get wierder!

oldphatmc

now, that's scary!

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Ughhh, Scrabbler, you gave me the creepie crawlies.

[perky_nurse:)]

We had an underpriveliged woman in LDR for her 9th (that's right) delivery, stated she "hardly gained any weight this time". Low and behold when she pushed babe's head out she defecated (not uncommon) and umpteen million tapeworms shot out of her with such force and odour the LDR nurse ran out of the room to vomit. Ew.

OMG....

[suitebliss]

Was there any reason why? But, Ewwwwww....

[kmoonshine, RN]

Maggots on wounds, silverfish under pendulous breasts, gangrenous toes that break off in the ED bed...yup, it all happens. Not every day, but it happens.

[Scrabbler]

"...silverfish under pendulous breasts..."

That is one of the grossest things I've ever read. (shakes limbs to rid herself of heebie-jeebies)

[MTRN13]

What is a silverfish ?

[CT Pixie, BSN, RN]

What is a silverfish ?