First, Do No Harm (Brier Hospital Series Book 1) by Gold Lawrence

Author:Gold, Lawrence [Gold, Lawrence]
Language: eng
Format: azw3, epub
Publisher: Grass Valley Publishing
Published: 2011-04-25T16:00:00+00:00

Chapter Twenty-Four

As I entered Brier through the physician’s entrance, the operator announced, “Dr. Byrnes, stat ER—Dr. Byrnes, stat ER.”

I could get there quicker by foot than by phone, so I rushed to the ER. The staff directed me to the examining room where Arnie stood next to the gurney surrounded by nurses and respiratory therapists. An impending code blue?

“What’s up, Arnie?”

“She had a seizure Jack, just moments ago. She came in this morning with shaking chills, fever to 104 degrees. I’m sure it’s PID with sepsis and early septic shock.”

I examined Carrie quickly. The seizure and the falling blood pressure concerned me the most.

We stepped into the hallway outside the examining room.

“It’s too early to be sure,” I said, “but this girl looks like trouble to me. We should plan for the worst. Let’s get her up to ICU where we can watch her closely and put in pressure monitoring lines. That will prepare us for any eventuality. Did you notice those skin lesions on her legs, Arnie, maybe it’s gonorrhea?”

Due to our concern, Arnie and I accompanied Carrie as the orderly and the nurse wheeled her from the ER to ICU. While I placed monitoring lines into Carrie’s groin area, Arnie reached Sally Palmer in her Truckee office, “Carrie’s been admitted to Brier Hospital, and is in intensive care.”

Following an audible gasp, Sally said, “What’s wrong with her Dr. Roth?”

Arnie explained our diagnosis and emphasized that while unstable right now, Carrie’s infection should come under control soon. Informing, but not panicking the family took great care, an art form. Arnie knew no skill or artistry could mitigate against the facts, what he needed to say next. “It would be wise if the family were to get down to see Carrie right away.”

Sally gasped. “I’ll call everyone. We’ll be there as soon as possible.”

Arnie remained at the bedside with me until he needed to return to his busy office, now packed with angry patients. A vocal few were complaining loudly about damn doctors running late for their appointments. Who do those damn doctors think they are? My time’s as valuable as theirs. His office manager rescheduled several patients, but Arnie’s appointments would be way behind.

I remained close by ICU for the next four hours, monitoring Carrie’s blood pressure, urine output, and mental status. She regained consciousness but remembered little after awakening that morning. The laboratory tests showed definite signs of infection and mild anemia. Cultures had yet to grow a specific organism.

After introducing myself to Carrie, now more alert, I told her I’d be working with Dr. Roth until her condition improved. Though unsure about how much information she’d retain, I explained to her she had a severe pelvic infection that had spread to her bloodstream.

Pelvic infection? What kind? How did I get it? How sick am I really? —were all thoughts dancing, racing through Carrie’s still foggy head.

I monitored Carrie carefully through the night. Her blood pressure stabilized at 104/60, a normal reading for her, and her temperature had come down to 101 degrees.

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