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Thursday, December 16, 2010

Which is why you should pay attention in that Red Cross class

Today a man had a heart attack in my parking lot. Yup. A bystander ran and banged on my pharmacy drive through window and I rushed out, calling for a manager to call 911. The man was conscious but his extremities were going blue and he was sweating profusely. I propped him up, introduced myself, asked his name, health history, allergies, etc  - all that good stuff - but I was kicking myself for running out empty handed. In minutes a manager joined me outside. Before he even got close I yelled, "Bring me a 325 mg aspiring and 0.4 mg nitroglycerine!" I knew one of my techs would know what to give him. While I waited, I talked to the man and asked him his name and if he had had a heart attack before. He could barely speak but he told me he had; actually he had two stents placed. I was more interested in talking to him and keeping him focused, because the pain was excruciating and was causing him to panic. My manager came back with the requested drugs, and as soon as I got the nitroglycerine in his mouth, the gentleman started to grow calm and his color started gradually returning. Before the requisite five minutes had elapsed before his second dose, the ambulance had arrived. I was able to brief the paramedics on his condition and tell them what he had taken so far while they hooked him up to some oxygen.
Then I went back inside and finished working the rest of my shift.
Sigh. My job is crazy! But I must recommend that if you are going to have a heart attack, please do it in a parking lot situated between a pharmacy and an emergency room.

7 comments:

  1. Sheesh. That sounds intense! I am glad you were able to help. I wouldn't have a clue what to do!

    In your comment on MOnday, you asked if I like Havarti cheese. Oui! Love it!

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  2. Wow you are amazing! I have first aid training from when I was a lifeguard but I definitely wouldn't have known what to give him for drugs!! I just know CPR - though, that's kind of vague now that I haven't lifeguarded for a couple of years!

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  3. I would be completely lost on how to help!! That is so awesome that you were there, and knew what to do!!! Ahhh all in a days work (for you!) :)

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  4. I just realized I spelled aspirin "aspiring" which is how some of my patients say it! Lor', I need a new job!

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  5. I'm really imprssed. Sounds a little risky in this litigous world. Good for you.

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  6. Holy cow! So glad you were there and could help him!

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  7. Boy, if Santa's not impressed, I don't know what else you could do!

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