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The online Free Dictionary offers the following as a definition for desensitized - to make emotionally insensitive or unresponsive, as by long exposure or repeated shock. Unfortunately, some medical professionals have to deal with this sense of desensitization at some point in their careers.
As a medical professional, we take an oath, whether it's the Nightingale Pledge (for nurses) or the Hippocratic Oath (for physicians) pledging before man and God to put the welfare of those committed to our care above everything else which makes what occurred just a few days ago so heartbreaking.
After I arrived at work for the night shift, the nurses we were relieving gave "report" on the patients in the emergency room at the time. Report, for those who aren't familiar, is an informal way of giving the oncoming shift a brief history of the patient's complaints, symptoms, lab results, etc.
Most emergency departments have rooms designated for certain conditions. A 10-bed ER, for example, will have rooms designated for minor problems, some for orthopedic problems and other specialized rooms equipped to handle trauma or other life threatening problems.
During report, we were informed there was a 20-year old woman who had presented with very vague complaints. She had told the nurse she was simply, sick.
The young lady told the staff that she had been ill for the past 2 weeks. She went on to say that she had been to two different hospitals and was sent home and told to take Motrin or other over-the -counter medications for her symptoms. No lab work was ordered. No x-rays were done. She was simply told to "go home" and care for herself.
It was apparent that the child (as I am swiftly approaching 40, I think child is appropriate) was very ill. The staff worked methodically and skillfully trying to calm the young girl and get her admitted as soon as possible.
As we were preparing to transport her to our Intensive Care Unit, the young woman stopped breathing. We immediately began to code (medical term for CPR) the patient.
It's always difficult when you're in a code involving a young person. There isn't a soul in the room that wants to give up. Things are always hectic and fast paced no matter what the age. But when the life hanging in the balance is only 20-years old, I'm sure everyone is subconsciously thinking about how much life this person has left to live. What was she going to contribute to this world?
In spite of all our efforts, she didn't make it. There wasn't a dry eye in the emergency room that night. We moved around in silence after all the machines had been turned off and we proceeded to tidy up the room and prepare the body for the family to view.
I guess the silence was due, in part, to the fact that we all felt this didn't have to happen. If someone had listened two weeks ago; if someone had cared two weeks ago; if someone had taken their oath seriously two weeks ago, maybe this life wouldn't have been lost.
Roschelle Nelson is a Registered Nurse by profession and mother, wife, freelance writer, mentor, friend and genuine lover of life by choice. Roschelle has achieved success with several business ventures. She enjoys writing, meeting new people and considers life a precious gift. View her blogs Admissible Banter and Sagacious Rambling. Her views on life, current news, work and family are never dull and often sprinkled with humor and wit.
This must have been a heartbreaking episode. I admire you greatly for dealing with life and death situations so often. I'm not sure I could do it. Somehow, though, even in this situation, God was at work. Perhaps, partly through your words, another life may be saved. Respond to this comment
Roschelle, I suppose there won't be many dry eyes reading this as well -- a very tragic story. As a caretaker for my elderly dad, I've seen many mistakes that can cost lives and only for the grace of God they've been caught. I salute your profession as I could never do it but it is a profession that needs people to pay attention. God speed and thanks for sharing this. Respond to this comment
Judi, thanks for commenting. It was and is difficult anytime we lose a patient. I think Jay summed this unfortunate loss up best, "Somehow, though, even in this situation, God was at work. Perhaps, partly through your words, another life may be saved."
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