daedalus
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I got stuck on an ALS interfacility transport the other day, coming out of a small hospital ER going to UCLA Medical Center. While my partner, the paramedic, was obtaining the history and report from a nurse, I read the run sheet from the crew that brought him in. The RN than told my partner that he and the MD had no idea what was going on with the guy and he was going to UCLA for a advanced testing and a diagnosis. After reading the run sheet, looking at the patient, and hearing the RN say this, The HOUSE theme music suddenly started playing in my head. It was a perfect case for Dr. House.
Details-
53 y/o male was driving on the freeway, and all of a sudden cut across all four lanes of traffic and slammed into the center divider. He has no allergies, takes various hypertension and hyperlipidemia medications, had a CABG six days prior to this accident, ate right before the accident, and was on his way home from lunch with a friend. He states he has no memory of the accident, and has been in a state of drowsiness for several hours after the incident. The RN says a few times he was difficult to arouse. A physical examination revealed an actively bleeding "zipper" scar from the medial sternotomy, that looked very fresh and had self removed steri-strips the day before. He was still difficult to arouse when we were preparing him for the transport. Blood sugar was 126, 12 lead EKG was apparently normal for him, Blood pressures were around 126-120/64-70. All other vitals were within normal limits except for a sat of 94 on 2 liters. No hx of COPD, smoking, or home use of O2.
Doctors were very concerned on why he lost consciousness on the freeway. This was all very cool to me. Any ideas?
Details-
53 y/o male was driving on the freeway, and all of a sudden cut across all four lanes of traffic and slammed into the center divider. He has no allergies, takes various hypertension and hyperlipidemia medications, had a CABG six days prior to this accident, ate right before the accident, and was on his way home from lunch with a friend. He states he has no memory of the accident, and has been in a state of drowsiness for several hours after the incident. The RN says a few times he was difficult to arouse. A physical examination revealed an actively bleeding "zipper" scar from the medial sternotomy, that looked very fresh and had self removed steri-strips the day before. He was still difficult to arouse when we were preparing him for the transport. Blood sugar was 126, 12 lead EKG was apparently normal for him, Blood pressures were around 126-120/64-70. All other vitals were within normal limits except for a sat of 94 on 2 liters. No hx of COPD, smoking, or home use of O2.
Doctors were very concerned on why he lost consciousness on the freeway. This was all very cool to me. Any ideas?
