Comments on: Nursing Home Codes

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 04:55:00 +0000

I had a similar code two days ago. Asystole x 20 mins with BLS doing CPR before ALS arrives. A good 4 minute gap in the middle with no CPR when he had to be carried up a bunch of stairs. After 2 mins of CPR with epi, he gets a PEA rhythm (narrow complex tach) that degrades back to asystole. After 6 more minutes and another 2 mg of epi, he gets a pulse back for awhile, but eventually bradys down and dies. Surprising what that epi can do, although it isn’t making a difference in their end outcome.

By: Medicmarch.

Medicmarch. — Tue, 16 Dec 2008 04:23:00 +0000

This reminds me of something one of my paramedic instructors told me, three long years ago."Isuprel? Fuck, that could make jello beat."As you have stated, getting a nonprofusing rhythm typically doesn't mean much in the long run.-MM-MM

By: Tom B

Tom B — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 21:43:00 +0000

Really? My experience has been the opposite. Sure, there are times that you’re like…. Umm… how long has this patient in acute pulmonary edema been lying flat? But for the most part, they abuse the sh*t out of EMS because they are not competent to handle routine care situations, let alone critical care.

By: Jonathan Rosenfeld

Jonathan Rosenfeld — Sun, 14 Dec 2008 17:04:00 +0000

Thanks for sharing your nursing home experiences. Too often nursing homes are slow to notify paramedics when they are truly needed. Nursing homes are under the impression they can handle many critical care situations when the reality is they are not.Jonathan Rosenfeldhttp://nursinghomesabuseblog.com

By: Tom B

Tom B — Sat, 13 Dec 2008 20:42:00 +0000

When is this madness going to end?