Hitting that red button

Whilst on an orthopaedic inpatients prac having already experienced a patient having a TIA that morning i was trying to calm myself down from the dramas of the morning and focus back on treating my other patients. I went in to see my next patient who was only 56 and therefore considered a low risk of complications for surgery so i was told to see her alone. Day 1 post surgery following the pathway i checked she was medically stable then with the help of the patients nurse walked her to the shower and back.

On returning from the shower the patient as she sat back on the bed reported she was feeling dizzy. After trying to remain calm and remember this is normal post surgery and not to panic as this mornings event were a rarity, i encouraged the patient to take some deep breaths then lie back into bed. As the patient got back into bed she reported she was going to be sick so i reached for the sick bag and she started to vomit. She had just started to vomit and then she became unresponsive and fell back into the supine position. The nurse and i looked at each other an realised the seriousness of the situation. I directed the nurse to help me lay the patient on her side so she didnt choke on her vomit and i looked the that red button. The medical team were already frustrated that we has called an emergency this morning when they felt it was unnecessary so i was reluctant to call them again. i stared at the button for what felt like for ever and debated whether i should hit it. i reached out an hit the button and then the nurse and i stood back helplessly at the patient who was still unresponsive. The patient then opened her eyes and began the same conversation she was having prior to the vasovagal episode as if nothing had happened. the medical team came rushing in a little quicker than they had earlier that morning to see the same scene of the patient chatting away in bed and were again angry they had been called for nothing.

Looking back i am glad i reacted the way i did, you always wonder how you will react in a crisis and i is good to know that i did react, i acted. Although the medical team were not required i feel it was better to be safe than to not have acted and something serious have happened. Although at the time terrifying i am glad i experienced this situation so i have seen an emergency and dealt with it.