Read on Twitter
. @indiaknight @daraobriain @Lynn_Nothegger @laineydoyle @SpringerBell_ Thread.
Back working in ICU due to pandemic. Recently I looked after a young woman, a cancer survivor with small kids and watched as the consultant gave her some devastating news.
Back working in ICU due to pandemic. Recently I looked after a young woman, a cancer survivor with small kids and watched as the consultant gave her some devastating news.
He explained that due to her history, if we had to ventilate her, she had a 20% chance of survival. She was sitting upright on full High Flow O2, with Sats of 69%. She was having a break from NIV to have this conversation. She calmly asked about any possible treatments.
He explained there were none that had been shown to work. Full Ventilation, if it came to it would be supportive only. No cure for this disease. She visibly blanched when he told her if her heart stopped, we would not do CPR.
And if she wanted CPR? No, we still wouldn't do it. Zero benefits, and many risks. It it got to that point it would be futile. Her youngest is 2 years old.
That is not my first DNACPR conversation. But it is in the context of Covid-19. And it broke my heart.
That is not my first DNACPR conversation. But it is in the context of Covid-19. And it broke my heart.
Patient is not sure how she was exposed, she did social distancing, and thought she had been careful. She asked if her family could visit. No that would not be possible. Could she go home? At this point it would not be in her best interest- she needs too much oxygen and support.
Underlying condition? Yes, but she was expected to LIVE before this hit. And I couldn't even offer her a comforting touch. Touch these days is through two pairs of nitrile gloves. Conversations are mumbled, through a mask and a visor. This is not what our patients deserve.
Real people with lives and families and dreams are dying daily They all have so much to live for. 900 deaths a day people. 900.
That consultant and many consultants across the country are having these conversations every day. It should not be like this. https://twitter.com/laineydoyle/status/1249127908876128259
That consultant and many consultants across the country are having these conversations every day. It should not be like this. https://twitter.com/laineydoyle/status/1249127908876128259
