Status Epilepticus - Page 2

On August 31 2012 01:40 Rkie wrote:
That dude was way too calm for a 35 minute seizing of his wife. I guess it's better than having a panic attack, but doesn't matter now. Snet is the hero once again. Well done.

On August 30 2012 14:51 Snet wrote:
I enjoy what I like to call the pre-sleep nap. When it is 7-8pm I like to take a quick 1 hour nap then stay awake until 10-11pm then go to sleep.

That's my normal schedule.

This certain day I was enjoying a fantastic pre-sleep nap.

BZZZZ BZZZZ BZZZZ

Medical box 815, 22104 Rodey RD, Sweetsville, MD, 51810.

Ambulance 191 you are responding to 22104 Rodey RD, Sweetsville, MD, 51810, for the female in active seizures.

Okay, seizures. I feel like this is going to be an easy call.

Either you show up and they are seizing, or you show up and they are not seizing.

So you give one medication or you transport the patient routinely,

I show up to this persons house to find a relatively calm old man stating, "My wife is seizing."

I walk in the house and find a middle aged female on her bed seizing.

Big woop, this is not the first seizure I've ever seen.

I ask the husband, "How long has she been seizing?"

"35 minutes."

This call suddenly went from being routine to life threatening.

The patient was in what is called status epilepticus, which is the state of seizing for more than 30 minutes.

During a seizure the brain is deprived of oxygen.

Every second deprives the body of vital nutrients.

Typically I would assess the patient's vital sings and place them on oxygen.

This call I knew, every second counted.

We placed the patient on a portable stretcher and moved her to the ambulance ASAP.

Transport began priority 2.

(1= dying, 2=verge of dying, 3=OK, 4=dead)

During transport we reassessed the patient frequently.

The patient was pretty consistent. She was seizing but was maintaining vital organs.

It's very easy to get a patient on your ambulance and slack on re-exams until you get to the hospital.

Say you have a seizing patient like we have in this story, they look the same... in and out of seizures.

They thrash around constantly.

However, this time was different.

She had been seizing 30+ minutes already.

During transport I noticed the patient stopped breathing.

Fuck.

I yelled to my partner: "Grab a bag valve mask!"

She grabbed the mask and we started breathing for the patient.

At the hospital the doctor took over.

After stabilizing the patient, the doctor stated that without early intervention in the field this patient would have died.

Excuse my language, but... HELL YEA.

On August 30 2012 17:43 spinesheath wrote:

It's priority. There's no point in rushing to transport a dead person to the hospital. However, if they are close to death, you have to be as fast as possible.

On September 02 2012 06:57 mastrblastr wrote:
Snet,
I just recently discovered your blog and I've been reading some posts. I can't help but observe how dramatic you make some of these situations appear, and how you appear to over emphasize the role ems plays in "saving a life.". I am a paramedic and pre medical student and while I acknowledge that we often play a part in pt outcome, I can't help but notice that you appear to thrive on the attention you receive from those who respond to these posts. I don't intend to be bm here and I find your blog incredibly entertaining but just some food for thought. Keep on keeping on and stay safe out there.

On September 02 2012 11:41 Grobyc wrote:

Maybe dumb question, but what's the difference between dying and verge of dying? Can you give some examples?