OreoThief
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Hello, all....
I had an experience during one of my clinicals that seems to have stuck to me, and I wanted to know your take on the situation, just for my own knowledge. Of course, I realize that none of you were actually "there", but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this situation "in general".
Called to nursing home to transport 55 year old woman to hospital for "psychiatric evaluation". Upon arrival, we learn that this is a new resident, and they have little information on her, other than she is a diabetic, and for the last few days has been irritable and "not feeling well". I arrived to find a polite and responsive female, shaking and responsive. She had some trouble verbally communicating easily, but otherwise, seemed to be sharp as a tack. Husband was present, and stated that this shaking behavior is typical when her sugar is low. He left to retrieve some clothing and personal effects from home for her, and would meet us at the hospital. We transported her to the hospital, where her LOC and vitals dropped quickly, and during the ride, and inprocessing at the hospital, she drifted in and out of consciousness. When she was conscious, she still seemed reasonably alert, choosing to answer questions about her medical condition, and asking for clarification when needed. We had been there for approximately 2 minutes, and as I'm filling out the rest of my paperwork in the room, I hear screaming. I turn around to find three nurses holding this woman down, inserting a catheter, as the screams and protests, and fights with all of her might. She certainly seemed able to legally refuse care if she wanted to, in my opinion. She continued to scream, until they overpowered her, and she cried, giving up.
I may be a newbie, but I am reasonable. I understand that sometimes things have to happen, and that they are not always pleasant. I also know that there should be a level of medical necessity to put a patient through a procedure that can cause so much discomfort, both physically and emotionally. My question is, did the nurses perform a typical procedure for someone being brought in primarily for hypoglycemia? Even if the patient was determined to be "mentally incompetent", was this procedure necessary? I awared the nurses upon arrival that she was able to communicate and understand well, although they treated her as if she was incapable of making decisions. I felt that the catheter insertion was almost abusive treatment, or at a minimum, overly invasive, and very unnecessary.
Whether I'm right or wrong, I'd love to hear some feedback from the more seasoned EMTs.
I had an experience during one of my clinicals that seems to have stuck to me, and I wanted to know your take on the situation, just for my own knowledge. Of course, I realize that none of you were actually "there", but I'd love to hear your thoughts on this situation "in general".
Called to nursing home to transport 55 year old woman to hospital for "psychiatric evaluation". Upon arrival, we learn that this is a new resident, and they have little information on her, other than she is a diabetic, and for the last few days has been irritable and "not feeling well". I arrived to find a polite and responsive female, shaking and responsive. She had some trouble verbally communicating easily, but otherwise, seemed to be sharp as a tack. Husband was present, and stated that this shaking behavior is typical when her sugar is low. He left to retrieve some clothing and personal effects from home for her, and would meet us at the hospital. We transported her to the hospital, where her LOC and vitals dropped quickly, and during the ride, and inprocessing at the hospital, she drifted in and out of consciousness. When she was conscious, she still seemed reasonably alert, choosing to answer questions about her medical condition, and asking for clarification when needed. We had been there for approximately 2 minutes, and as I'm filling out the rest of my paperwork in the room, I hear screaming. I turn around to find three nurses holding this woman down, inserting a catheter, as the screams and protests, and fights with all of her might. She certainly seemed able to legally refuse care if she wanted to, in my opinion. She continued to scream, until they overpowered her, and she cried, giving up.
I may be a newbie, but I am reasonable. I understand that sometimes things have to happen, and that they are not always pleasant. I also know that there should be a level of medical necessity to put a patient through a procedure that can cause so much discomfort, both physically and emotionally. My question is, did the nurses perform a typical procedure for someone being brought in primarily for hypoglycemia? Even if the patient was determined to be "mentally incompetent", was this procedure necessary? I awared the nurses upon arrival that she was able to communicate and understand well, although they treated her as if she was incapable of making decisions. I felt that the catheter insertion was almost abusive treatment, or at a minimum, overly invasive, and very unnecessary.
Whether I'm right or wrong, I'd love to hear some feedback from the more seasoned EMTs.
I meant that I watched her BP and HR decrease. I recall seeing something like 90/50 during the ride. At one point, I couldn't find a pulse, and so as we took her out of the truck, I quietly told my medic that I could not find her pulse, and that it was probably just my inexperience. He smiled, and in less than 2 seconds, claimed to have found her pulse and that she was ok. I have had difficulty finding pulses before, so it was probably just me. :unsure:
