Triage Trifecta

As you can imagine in a facility that has an average age of 85 there tends to be a few accidents in the run of a year.  As we rolled out of 2015 just before the Holiday the day started as usual – staff arrived, systems were checked, the van was prepared for the day, the bus was cleared of snow, and the dining room staff arrived to start breakfast - and so on. 

Meanwhile, the nurse was summoned to the 2^nd or was it the 3^rd floor to attend to normal rounds.  During those rounds she heard a commotion in a room down the corridor.  There on the floor of her suite lay a woman in severe pain from what was determined to be a broken hip. Paramedics were called and off to the hospital she was whisked. (Number 1)

The day moved along and at about mid-day again the nurse was called to a floor above – this time a lady was finding it hard to breathe so paramedics were called and off she was whisked to the hospital to make sure it was not a heart problem. [This sort of thing is quite common at the residence]. (Number 2)

After the weather had cleared and more people were mulling around on the main level at the desk, one lady (paralyzed on the left side by-the-way) arrived from upstairs and was making her way along from the elevators to the desk, and another (very dainty to say the least) was following her husband in from a pleasant walk outside.  They knew each other well and as the lady going out leaned to hug the lady coming in they both lost their balance and crashed to the floor.  The scream brought the nurse running and after a very quick check of both it was determined that the lady leaving was fine, but the dainty lady who had just finished a safe walk on wet, snowy and icy sidewalks had broken her hip.  Paramedics arrived after the quick 911 call and she too was whisked to the ER, husband tagging along. (Number 3)

My Dad always said “things happen in threes”.  He would have been so right on this day.  The nurse showed her true professional colors that day and when we chatted later she could only exclaim “what a day!!”

I learned a valuable lesson too: in this fast paced unpredictable life of ours – take it easy and live every day to its fullest because things can change so fast.  Happy New Year!!