Support for district hospital in mountainous area to successfully save a case of cardiac arrest

The male patient (born in 1956) was treated at Van Ban District General Hospital, Lao Cai with a diagnosis of heart failure EF 15%, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Previously, the patient was treated at Lao Cai Provincial Hospital for 2 weeks, had a tracheostomy and was transferred to Van Ban District General Hospital for further treatment.

During the treatment at Van Ban District General Hospital, the patient's condition was stable, but he suddenly lost consciousness. Together with the doctors of the Emergency Department here, Dr. Nguyen Van Anh, Department of Emergency and Intensive Care, Hanoi Medical University Hospital immediately approached the patient.

Doctors assessed that the patient had signs of circulatory arrest, so they implemented an advanced circulatory arrest emergency protocol. After more than 30 minutes with 4 electric shocks, along with the use of emergency drugs such as adrenaline, lidocaine, magnesium sulfate, etc., the patient gradually regained circulation.

Because the patient was detected early, and at the same time, medical staff at the emergency department of Van Ban District General Hospital were retrained in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, the approach, assessment and treatment were extremely quick.

After emergency treatment, the patient regained full consciousness, had his vasomotor removed, and was on ventilator support. Currently, the patient has had his tracheostomy tube removed, has been discharged from the hospital, and is returning to normal life at home.

Recently, Hanoi Medical University Hospital has sent many groups of resident doctors to poor districts, remote areas of Lao Cai province to create opportunities for people here to access increasingly better quality medical services, limit unnecessary transfers, and contribute to reducing overload at upper-level hospitals.

The above patient was fortunate to have his circulatory arrest successfully treated at the district level.

When working at this medical facility, Dr. Anh discussed with colleagues at Van Ban Hospital about cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

Therefore, as soon as the patient suddenly lost consciousness during a hospital briefing, the nurse in the ward approached and immediately performed CPR after assessing for cardiac arrest. At the same time, she urgently alerted other medical staff. Doctors arrived shortly after, and the CPR procedure was implemented.

Sharing about the time of emergency care, Dr. Anh said that normally, cases of cardiac arrest lasting 30 minutes have a very low expectation of the heart beating again.

"My colleagues and I at Van Ban District General Hospital were all very nervous. However, the patient's pulse returned and he began to move his hands and head. At that time, we all hoped that the patient's neurological function would improve. Currently, the patient has been discharged from the hospital and returned to normal life," said Dr. Anh.

Cardiac arrest is a common emergency at Hanoi Medical University Hospital, but is rare in district hospitals.

According to doctors at Hanoi Medical University Hospital, to improve the effectiveness of emergency care, training, especially advanced cardiopulmonary resuscitation training, needs to be conducted regularly for medical staff.

The professional support cooperation program between Hanoi Medical University Hospital and Van Ban District General Hospital in particular and district hospitals of Lao Cai province in general has contributed to improving the quality of medical care and patient care.

Source: https://nhandan.vn/ho-tro-benh-vien-tuyen-huyen-vung-cao-cuu-thanh-cong-ca-benh-ngung-tuan-hoan-post814748.html