Work Place Accident

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Written by
2 years ago
Topics: Work, Accidental, My thoughts, Blog, Nurse, ...

Yesterday, has been an extra challenging day for me at work. I was not really conditioned for it as I somehow slept badly the night before. I went to work expecting to have an online training day as my manager promised me before my day off, but unfortunately, one of our staff was sick so I had to forego my training to work on the floor. Anyway the morning was not as bad as I expected as we were managing so well and the team work was good. But the afternoon shift was a different story.

Image of an ambulance from Unsplash

For legal purposes, I will not be mentioning the real names of the people involved in this article.

After lunch time our consultant suddenly rushed in the treatment area asking for a hand. An accident had happened in the consultation room. Apparently, our patient's wife and chaperone, who I will call Josie had a fall and dislocated her shoulder while trying to break the fall with her hand. The main reason was because the consultant did not provide her a chair during the consultation as there was not plenty of room for it and she tripped on the examination bed pedal as they were about to leave.

Because we were already short staffed, my manager of course asked me, the new joiner, to stay with Josie as we waited for an ambulance. Josie was sprawled on the floor and refused to get up when we arrived so I gave her a pillow and I had to sit on the floor with her. Being a private dialysis unit, we were not equipped for orthopaedic problems and we also weren't allowed to give none patients any medications from our stocks. Luckily, the consultant had some ibuprofen 400mg to give to the patient and one of my colleagues had a personal paracetamol which he kindly gave 1 gram to the patient. This was not good enough of course for an injury of such extent.

Unfortunately, since a shoulder dislocation, no matter how painful it is, is not classed as a life threatening situation the ambulance said they will collect her after hours as they were pretty slumped too with life threatening emergencies. This made Josie really upset and she started demanding for a private ambulance which was also unfortunately booked up. That's when all the screaming, yelling, cursing, and wanting to die speech started coming out. I could really empathise and see the pain she was going through, bless her. But unfortunately there was nothing I can do. She started screaming in Italian and I tried to distract her from the pain by trying to tell her about my Italian partner. It only worked briefly and she starts screaming again to get attention specially when she thinks we are calling the ambulance.

The ordeal took at least 4 hours. We did manage to sit her on a chair and improvised a sling with a blanket with a lot of screaming. And through her agony, poor Josie kept on worrying about how her diabetic husband with dementia and kidney disease will manage on his own without her. And who was going to stay with him overnight in case she ends up staying in the hospital. Thankfully, she had a sister who agreed to cancel her remote work to come to the rescue but will take time to arrive too. Josie verbalised to me that the most frustrating part of the situation was how long it was taking the ambulance to respond to her needs. She said it is barbaric and she even said in Italy if you have money you get attended as soon as possible. Anyhow, my colleague offered to drive her to the hospital just in time when the ambulance also arrived.

That situation took a lot out of me. I felt helpless as a nurse. The screams and cries took a toll on my spirit. I also feel sorry for the patient for how the healthcare system has failed her. I could only imagine how many Josie's are out there. The UK government has got to do better. I was trying not to cry as I went home. My colleague gave me a pat on the back and told me he was happy I was part of their team but I really felt like a failure today. I called my boyfriend and had a proper cry as I walked home. I hope Josie is now alright and sorted. And I hope her family can cope with this accident. I also hope this does not happen to anyone at all.

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Written by
2 years ago
Topics: Work, Accidental, My thoughts, Blog, Nurse, ...

Comments

Don't get discouraged, you just did your best. Cheer up!

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Thank you Mr. Moon 🌙

$ 0.00
2 years ago

I can only imagine how distressing that was. 4 hours? No way. It's frustrating when we are put in a situation where we are helpless.

$ 0.05
2 years ago

I know she was suffering and I can do nothing. I now see why a lot of people leave the NHS. This happens to them every day.

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Oh my. That's just sad :(

$ 0.00
2 years ago

I can imagine how it was for you. You did well trying to distract her the best you could. Really not an easy patient to deal with especially since she wasn't suppose to be one in the first place.

At least you have the weekend to exhale the experience 😊

$ 0.02
2 years ago

Well on the upside she is now home it was just a dislocation not a fracture. I am happy for her. I had a better day at work today too. Thank God for that 😂

$ 0.00
2 years ago

As an adult pains in the shoulder is very hurtful, I remember where they massage bone in the body, little children own are not as painful as adults.. Josie so sorry

$ 0.01
2 years ago

I could only imagine as she is quite elderly. Bless her.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Here in my country, ambulance service is worst not that they make excuses. It's just our population is too much while the ambulances are very less. We can hope the health facilities improve Better in every part of the country. Seeing someone in pain is the most trouble and traumatic experience. Good that you handled it well.

$ 0.02
2 years ago

Thank you for the kind words mate. I do hope that this health crisis gets better. It makes me scared of getting sick.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Kumusta na si Josie sis? It's okay sis. Wag mo isipin na failure. You did your best para sa kanya. Be positive lang sis.

$ 0.01
2 years ago

She got collected by the ambulance sis I hope to get news when I get to work today.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

I pray na okay lang siya sis.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Hello sis got the update today she is now home with a sore shoulder. Dislocated nga pero at least not fractured.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Atleast ganun lang sis nuh. Praying to her fast recovery sis. 🙏

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Naku sis,napakasakit pag may bali,sana okay lang si Josie.

$ 0.01
2 years ago

Sana nga sis. Diyos ko po I can just feel her pain.

$ 0.00
2 years ago

Sorry about what happened to Josie. I'm glad that it is not a life-threatening issue. I've never broken an arm but I heard that it is very painful. Please do well to check on her. I hope she gets well soon, my friend.

$ 0.02
2 years ago

I sprained my ankle and I was already in agony this could be even worst. Bless her. I hope we will get updates from the hospital today although she is not our patient we might not be allowed access to her information.

$ 0.00
2 years ago