My most recent placement was in A&E and I was able to further my knowledge in many ways. I’m reflecting on when I observed and played a role in the resuscitation of a patient while my supervisor was using the toilet. 

This patient was moved from majors B to resus after it was reported that she had a seizure. While I was connecting the patient on the monitor I realised that the patient had stopped breathing. I called out to the patient and did a trapeze squeeze; however the patient did not respond I checked their radial pulse but couldn’t feel anything. Feeling scared and uneasy, I pulled the emergency button, the nurse in charge and a consultant came in and I explained to them what happened. There was no bilateral lung movement or any sound and although there was activity shown on the cardiac monitor when the consultant checked both the femoral and carotid arteries but they felt no pulse. In resus each cubicle has their own red crash trolley and I managed to pass the consultant the defib pads and the equipment that she needed to intubate the patient (which was in the first draw)  while a nurse started CPR. After this I decided to step out and just observe the nurses, anesthesiologist, doctors and consultants work. I watched as the doctors I quickly bleeped the anesthesiologists who got to resus as quickly as they could and the nurses started to give the first dose of adrenaline. I observed a piece of equipment called LUCAS placed on the patient chest and started chest compression more effectively. This was really effective as after 2 rounds of adrenaline and chest compressions the patient was resuscitated. I was relieved. The anesthesiologists took over from the consultant to fully intubate the patient. Who was later taken to ICU. 

One aspect I learnt from this experience is that when you realise that som1ething is wrong with your patient it’s okay to feel scared and uneasy, it’s okay to call out for help even when you’re in shock and panic. I had to reassure myself that this patient was actually having a MI as all the signs were present and to get help even when the shock stopped me from thinking clearly.  Another aspect I learnt from this experience is that it’s normal for nurses and doctors to fade away into the background while and after the patient is resuscitated. This allows the consultants, the anesthesiologists and some nurses to work hand in hand getting medication ready and working to intubate the patient. Overall I learnt that in situations like resuscitation teamwork and good communication is essential as it allows everyone to work in harmony. 

This was the first time I had observed and played a role in the resuscitation of a patient. This experience allowed me to observe the signs of cardiac arrest and how to work well in a team. I now know to look for the pulse in the femoral and carotid arteries and not only the radial pulse. Moreover i realised that the cardiac monitors are not reliable and that i should actively feel for a pulse. 

This reflection links to practices effectively and prioritises people. I was able to communicate what I found effectively and assisted the consultant when needed. I observed how well the MDT worked cooperatively, maintaining effective communication and documentation of what was administered and what time. I saw how they respected each other’s expertise and contributions by taking a step back and allowing the other members of the MDT to work without disruption. I also observed how the MDT made sure to uphold the I patients dignity by covering the patients private parts as much as possible throughout the experience.