It was a routine night at Cooper University Hospital's Emergency Department. The shift was coming to a close when a patient arrived in full cardiac arrest. Immediately, RNs Maria, Andrea and Malikah began resuscitating the patient under the guidance of the ED physician. Mr. L. was a 61-year-old male who called 911 believing he was having an asthma attack. He was awake and coherent requiring minimal oxygen supplementation when the local emergency squad arrived. Just as they arrived in the ED, Mr. L. became pulseless and apenic. The team initiated CPR.
Approximately nine minutes after the patient's cardiac arrest, he experienced return of spontaneous circulation. The resuscitation effort was a success! Family arrived and were stunned to find their loved one on a ventilator. They were equally surprised to discover that he had been given a new chance at life. The staff answered questions and provided emotional support to the family reeling from this shocking situation.
Based on recent guidelines, more work was ahead for the staff to ensure the best neurological outcomes. The ED night nurses implemented the hypothermia protocol. The patient had been coded for nine minutes, which was worrisome for the staff. Shift change occurred and the protocol continued flawlessly.
Mr. L. was transferred to the ICU, where Karen RN provided care for the next three-day shifts. The hypothermia protocol continued during the next 24 hours. RNs David, Steve, Meggan and Jenieve cared for Mr. L. during the overnight shifts, facing physiologic challenges, while continuing to provide emotional support to the patient's family. As Mr. L. improved, they began to educate him about his chronic medical conditions and recent events. The efforts of these dedicated ED and ICU nurses were rewarded when the patient left the hospital with full neurological recovery.
