41 Minutes

At work every thing can change in a blink of an eye. So this is 41 min in my shoes.

2:19 Flashing lights roll in a gurney.
Straight through the door into room three.
Not breathing, can't feel a pulse
hurry up crack the cart, code blue is called.
Bag him depress, deliver a breath,
pull back, readjust no rise of the chest.
Respiratory therapy is on the way
Doc walks in begins to intubate.
Hand him the scope he slides in the tube.
Look up at the clock it's 2:22.
Bilateral breath sounds;patent airway.
Hit the button what does he weigh?
Cut off his shirt expose his chest;
stand on a stool begin to depress.
All leads attached, defibrillator pads
Syringes, needles drugs on demand
IV fluids wide open, need a second line.
Draw rainbow colored tubes a race against time.
Remain calm, react quick we all understand.
Death lurks awaiting the upper hand.
Stop compression and stare at the screen
tracing hope on an EKG.
Can not palpate a pulse it's PEA
Must push epi with out delay
2:24 resume compressions at a steady pace.
Sp02 climbs into the 90's as blood circulates.
2:27 Pupils react we still have time
Neurological reaction a good sign
Check the electrodes ,readjust the lead
A tiny blip appears on the screen
It's only 20 but he has a rhythm
Time to move on to the next algorithm
Reapply the cuff turn on the machine
Grab IV pump and hang dopamine
2:30 BP plummets can't maintain the rate
he's not breathing on his own continue to ventilate
There's no reaction his pupils blown
Cold to touch ashen skin tone
Loosing momentum it's 2:39
Glance at the monitor a flat line
Cracking ribs trying to reclaim his heart
Injections of epi 5 min apart
Doctor heads toward the waiting room
You hear their cries as he delivers the news.
Upon his return looking defeated
stop CPR he's not responding to treatment.
Cover him with a blanket, disconnect the respirator.
3am is the time he met his creator.

Author's Note

Any constructive criticism is welcome