ER -- Scoop & Run
Just another busy Thanksgiving in the fictional County General ER.
Last week's episode - "Scoop & Run" - was centered around Dr. Abby Lockhart transporting an elderly patient from another hospital to County General.
Upon arrival at the other facility, they find that the patient, an 88-year-old woman, has had a heart attack. Her blood pressure is 74/38, even after they've administered Dopamine, and Abby tells the staff there that she doesn't understand why they are transporting this woman. She doesn't feel the woman will live through the helicopter ride and, even if she does, probably won't survive until her family is able to make it to the County General ER. But the male paramedic on the team pushes, telling the family this is their mother's only chance, and they transport her. The woman dies inflight.
I had to wonder if a patient who seemed to be on the verge of death would really have been transported at all...in the real world of medicine. So, I asked our expert, Dr. Michael Smith.
Drama, drama, drama. It's entertaining, but it's not always completely accurate.
I certainly hope that if my elderly mom or dad is ever in that situation the hospital staff will be courteous and kind enough to allow my family to say a proper "goodbye".
Related Topics: Caution: Slippery Falls Ahead
Technorati Tags: ER, Thanksgiving, holiday, heart attack
Last week's episode - "Scoop & Run" - was centered around Dr. Abby Lockhart transporting an elderly patient from another hospital to County General.
Upon arrival at the other facility, they find that the patient, an 88-year-old woman, has had a heart attack. Her blood pressure is 74/38, even after they've administered Dopamine, and Abby tells the staff there that she doesn't understand why they are transporting this woman. She doesn't feel the woman will live through the helicopter ride and, even if she does, probably won't survive until her family is able to make it to the County General ER. But the male paramedic on the team pushes, telling the family this is their mother's only chance, and they transport her. The woman dies inflight.
I had to wonder if a patient who seemed to be on the verge of death would really have been transported at all...in the real world of medicine. So, I asked our expert, Dr. Michael Smith.
"Knowing when to transport a patient to another hospital can be tough in a critically ill patient. But transporting an 88-year-old heart attack patient with such low blood pressure (especially after receiving dopamine) is very risky. But it's a situation where you have to weigh the risks against the benefits of taking care of her heart. However, what bothers me most here is that it's the doctor's decision to transport a patient - not a paramedics (and I don't know too many paramedics that would put themselves out there like that and go against the physician that is going to be responsible for caring for the patient.) Looks like the doc knew best in this case."
Drama, drama, drama. It's entertaining, but it's not always completely accurate.
I certainly hope that if my elderly mom or dad is ever in that situation the hospital staff will be courteous and kind enough to allow my family to say a proper "goodbye".
Related Topics: Caution: Slippery Falls Ahead
Technorati Tags: ER, Thanksgiving, holiday, heart attack
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