It's Not About You

Today I was working what should have been a quick 8 hour shift, but alas everything is not what it seems when in healthcare. With two hours left, my patient started to rapidly detoriate with a pulse in the 30’s, O2 stats in the 60’s, and v tach. Around 40 respirations per minute (18 is standard). He needed oxygen, and the most oxygen we could offer him on the floor was via a non rebreather mask. He was working so hard to breathe, that it was exhausting his heart. We knew he needed to go the ICU. The ICU would be able to provide him the care he needed and deserved.

But, that’s in a perfect world. The ICU was full. We had to wait with him to figure something else out-- either a transfer or for him to bounce back. But, his heart had other plans. A man died tonight because of a full ICU. An ICU full of COVID-19 patients.

Get vaccinated. That is all. It’s not about you. But it might be you next time.