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The drama on a #COVIDー19 inpatient service is intense, frequent, & cuts like a knife.
Two extremes from the past few days.
Let’s round together...
Put on your PPE, I use a CAPR helmet, some people prefer or only have access to N95 & face shield. We’re lucky.
Thread
1/10
Two extremes from the past few days.
Let’s round together...
Put on your PPE, I use a CAPR helmet, some people prefer or only have access to N95 & face shield. We’re lucky.
Thread
1/10
Stand next to me outside the room. Hand hygiene, gown, gloves. Double check. I check you. You check me.
Safety is a priority
As you look in the window, you can see her pacing around.
Let’s knock and go in.
2/10
Safety is a priority
As you look in the window, you can see her pacing around.
Let’s knock and go in.
2/10
I ask how she’s feeling.
“So much better”
Since she’s already walking I ask her to keep going. Take some laps around the room
She takes off, comes back after multiple circuits
I clip the pulse oximeter onto her finger
95% off oxygen
3/10
“So much better”
Since she’s already walking I ask her to keep going. Take some laps around the room
She takes off, comes back after multiple circuits
I clip the pulse oximeter onto her finger
95% off oxygen
3/10
“Do you feel ready to go home?”
She just stares at us
“Would you like to go home today?”
Her eyes fill with tears. They pour out as she tilts her head skyward and prays out loud.
My eyes are full. I bet yours are too.
4/10
She just stares at us
“Would you like to go home today?”
Her eyes fill with tears. They pour out as she tilts her head skyward and prays out loud.
My eyes are full. I bet yours are too.
4/10
We review her hospital course & her discharge instructions.
She’s still thanking us as we walk out the room.
One of those unforgettable moments, sending a #COVIDー19 patient home.
Rounds aren’t done though...
5/10
She’s still thanking us as we walk out the room.
One of those unforgettable moments, sending a #COVIDー19 patient home.
Rounds aren’t done though...
5/10
He’s been holding his own for a few days. Yesterday was tough. Lots more oxygen required.
Now he’s struggling.
You’re still rounding with me right?
Look in the window of his room.
PPE on? Let’s go in.
6/10
Now he’s struggling.
You’re still rounding with me right?
Look in the window of his room.
PPE on? Let’s go in.
6/10
That is what a person who can’t breathe looks like.
The pallor, the sweat, the agitation, the heaving chest.
The wide eyes.
He’s come to that place. We discussed it yesterday. His family is aware.
Intubation. A ventilator.
7/10
The pallor, the sweat, the agitation, the heaving chest.
The wide eyes.
He’s come to that place. We discussed it yesterday. His family is aware.
Intubation. A ventilator.
7/10
As the ICU team makes ready, there’s a key step we mustn’t forget.
At first he says “No” but we encourage him.
The nurse brings in the iPad.
With the last air in his shattered lungs, he says goodbye to his family.
Over an internet connection.
8/10
At first he says “No” but we encourage him.
The nurse brings in the iPad.
With the last air in his shattered lungs, he says goodbye to his family.
Over an internet connection.
8/10
It’s ok if you’ve had enough. It’s a lot. Be sure to carefully clean your CAPR & wash your hands.
I’m ok at the time, but reflecting after the fact on this juxtaposition is hard.
Tears. Prayers. Covid in both cases
Two totally different outcomes.
9/10
I’m ok at the time, but reflecting after the fact on this juxtaposition is hard.
Tears. Prayers. Covid in both cases
Two totally different outcomes.
9/10
We are trying to bring you in the building, into the room.
To share with you. To reinforce the desperation when it comes to the hospital & Covid
To reinforce the right behaviors & help change the wrong ones outside the hospital.
Over an internet connection
10/10
End
To share with you. To reinforce the desperation when it comes to the hospital & Covid
To reinforce the right behaviors & help change the wrong ones outside the hospital.
Over an internet connection
10/10
End
