October 2013
Jackie
Rice
,
RN, BSN
Same Day Surgery
The Christ Hospital Health Network
Cincinnati
,
OH
United States

 

 

 

...I accompanied my 85 year old sister to The Christ Hospital to be there for my 78 year old brother, when he came out of carotid artery shunt surgery. As we were waiting in the waiting room, I turned to speak to my sister. Her eyes were rolled up into her head, her mouth was agape, her hands and feet were trembling and she did not respond to my calling her name.

I went to the front desk where a nurse and several volunteers were and advised them that I needed help, that my sister was "stroking out". Several of the staff came with me to my sister, but one nurse took charge. She checked my sister for a pulse and respiration, finding none, she and another staff member put my sister on the floor and again checked for her pulse and respiration again. Still finding nothing, she cleared an area and began CPR chest compressions. After 3 compressions my sister gave a gasp and was able to look around and respond to the nurses questions. She directed other staff members to get my sister first on a blanket and then on a gurney. We were taken to the ER and my sister was stabilized with fluids, etc. She was admitted and stayed several days on the 6th floor.

I did not even know the name of the nurse who took charge on the same day surgery center until the next evening when the nurse told me her name. Apparently her name was known throughout the hospital. On behalf of my sister, I wanted to thank Jackie Rice.