Patrick Sharpp
December 2016
Patrick
Sharpp
,
RN, BSN
Cardiothoracic Progressive Care Unit
UC Davis Medical Center
Sacramento
,
CA
United States

 

 

 

Patrick Sharpp's heroic efforts saved the life of a stranger. Patrick had taken a patient down to wait for a taxi when he noticed a patient escort trying to help a large woman into an SUV. She was elderly and obese and as she tried to get out of the wheelchair her legs buckled and she fell to the ground. Without hesitation Patrick went over to help her get up but she was in an awkward position on the ground under the car door. She had nasal cannula oxygen on with the tank attached to the back of the wheelchair which made it hard for her to get up. He used his Vocerra to summon the lift team for help. Assessing some urgency, Patrick directed other staff to help get the woman into her vehicle. She became very short of breath and once in the car started to decompensate and lose consciousness. Patrick realized, due to the size of the woman, it was difficult to get her out of the car and climbed into the car and began chest compressions while another bystander ran inside to call a code. The response from the code team was quick and this very fortunate woman was taken to the emergency department and survived.
Thank you Patrick, for your heroic efforts in saving the life of a stranger.