10-18-2024, 08:21 PM
Long term Advanced Care Paramedic, unfortunately have seen plenty of deaths from trauma and medical conditions.
I had one ALS patient who was a DNR (do not resuscitate), they were only able to use a sketch pad type thing to communicate, and they were adamant about going to the hospital. Enroute they just turned to look at me and stopped breathing. I could see the consciousness leave the body and it being early in my career I almost began resuscitation efforts before realizing I couldn’t and sat back.
The patient obviously stopped tracking me with their eyes and I knew they were gone.
On an even weirder note, about 4 years later I responded to that same address again and walking in the door we were met by a Home-care worker telling us that the patient was an ALS patient!! I thought wow! What are the chances of that?
It was the husband of the previous patient who passed away with me in the back of the ambulance… needless to say we did not take our time and got the patient to the hospital intact.
Tecate
I had one ALS patient who was a DNR (do not resuscitate), they were only able to use a sketch pad type thing to communicate, and they were adamant about going to the hospital. Enroute they just turned to look at me and stopped breathing. I could see the consciousness leave the body and it being early in my career I almost began resuscitation efforts before realizing I couldn’t and sat back.
The patient obviously stopped tracking me with their eyes and I knew they were gone.
On an even weirder note, about 4 years later I responded to that same address again and walking in the door we were met by a Home-care worker telling us that the patient was an ALS patient!! I thought wow! What are the chances of that?
It was the husband of the previous patient who passed away with me in the back of the ambulance… needless to say we did not take our time and got the patient to the hospital intact.
Tecate
If it’s hot, wet and sticky and it’s not yours, don’t touch it!
