rejoyce

Thank you ~ I’ve done clinicals at several hospitals, nursing homes, and re-habs and have never been informed any emergency number to call or procedure to use. You can bet next time I’m in a new facility I’ll find out what their policy is when there’s an emergency.

I'm a nursing student who needs some advice. I was in the room with a stroke patient with left side paralysis. An emergency, temporary tracheotomy had been done at the time of the stroke. The trach tube had been out about 5 days. Her chart cautioned aspiration precautions. She is a large lady and was propped up in bed while she ate breakfast. She choked on her food and I heard that awful "plugged" sound. I wasn't sure what to do. Because of her position I couldn't do the Heimlich and she was too big for me to pull her forward and slap her back. There was no suction machine in the room. I ran to get help and we stood next to her until she was able to move the food. I felt helpless! What should I have done? Also, I did run into the hallway because I needed help ASAP. What if no one would have been there? How appropriate is it to yell "HELP!!" I shook for the rest of the day. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks ~