Skip to content
  • About
  • Contact
  • Contribute
  • Book
  • Careers
  • Podcast
  • Recommended
  • Speaking
  • All
  • Physician
  • Practice
  • Policy
  • Finance
  • Conditions
  • .edu
  • Patient
  • Meds
  • Tech
  • Social
  • Video
    • All
    • Physician
    • Practice
    • Policy
    • Finance
    • Conditions
    • .edu
    • Patient
    • Meds
    • Tech
    • Social
    • Video
    • About
    • Contact
    • Contribute
    • Book
    • Careers
    • Podcast
    • Recommended
    • Speaking

A glimpse into the fragile balance of life and death in the ICU

Ton La, Jr., MD, JD
Physician
May 8, 2023
Share
Tweet
Share

It was a calm and quiet night in the ICU during my rotation when suddenly, the piercing sound of a code blue alarm filled the air. An elderly female patient, 66 years old, had come in earlier with lung clots due to ovarian cancer. She was on the other side of the hospital, and as part of the ICU team, I was tasked along with my attending to immediately go see the patient that was suffering from a heart attack.

With a kaleidoscope of thoughts racing through my mind, I sprinted across the hospital, my adrenaline pumping forcefully. My heart raced as I reached the elevator and impatiently waited for it to take me to the patient’s room. Upon arrival, I was met with a flurry of people surrounding the patient: the patient’s nurse, two rapid response nurses, the patient’s sister, and a few other staff members I couldn’t quite make out.

As the team assessed the situation, it became apparent that the patient was experiencing pulseless electrical activity (PEA). My attending put me in charge of running the code, and I quickly sprang into action. I designated one person as the timekeeper, organized a line of staff to take turns performing chest compressions, and ensured that the patient’s nurse prepared epinephrine and other necessary medications.

The patient regained a weak pulse over 20 times throughout the grueling code, only to have it slip away moments later. Despite numerous rounds of chest compressions and medication, her condition remained dire. We urgently transported her across the hospital to the ICU at my attending’s direction. A team of nurses and staff dashed down the long hallway with the patient’s bed, desperately trying to outrun the literal ticking clock as a nurse continued to give epinephrine pushes.

I recall feeling my lungs burning as I tried to sprint ahead of them to call the elevator and open the ICU doors. Once inside room 7, we continued administering CPR and even more epinephrine in a desperate attempt to save this woman’s life. With each passing moment, our hopes began to wane.

After a seemingly endless 20 minutes, the code itself had extended well over an hour. My attending consulted with the patient’s sister and made the difficult decision to halt our efforts. No more medications. No more chest compressions. We could do no more. It was a sobering moment, a heavy weight bearing down upon the shoulders of the entire team.

A couple of hours later, as the patient remained in the room, her sister was brought in. Her inconsolable crying echoed throughout the dark hallways of the ICU, a haunting reminder of the fragility of life for patients and medical professionals alike. The sobbing reverberated through the air, a visceral representation of the emotional turmoil experienced by family members in such moments.

The scene of that night will forever be etched in my memory – a vivid snapshot of the highs and lows that are intrinsic to the medical profession. Despite our best efforts, we could not save the patient, and we were all reminded of the delicate balance of life and death that permeates our ICU night shifts. The heartache her sister felt serves as a poignant reminder of why we, as health care providers, must remain diligently devoted to our patients in their most vulnerable and critical moments. And as the sun rose outside the window, it marked the start of a new day filled with hope and uncertainty in the battle against disease, echoing the various elements of the human struggle that defines our experience as medical practitioners.

Ton La, Jr. is a physician and can be reached on LinkedIn.

Prev

AI's transformative potential is threatened by security breaches, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures

May 8, 2023 Kevin 0
…
Next

How a pediatrician fought back against a manipulative CEO [PODCAST]

May 8, 2023 Kevin 0
…

Tagged as: Critical Care

Post navigation

< Previous Post
AI's transformative potential is threatened by security breaches, highlighting the need for robust cybersecurity measures
Next Post >
How a pediatrician fought back against a manipulative CEO [PODCAST]

More by Ton La, Jr., MD, JD

  • Unveiling the global pandemic threat: insights into risk factors and urgent measures for prevention

    Ton La, Jr., MD, JD
  • The meaning of death in medicine: the role of compassionate care in end-of-life patient care

    Ton La, Jr., MD, JD
  • Reflections on 500 patients, unique cases, and making a difference in health care

    Ton La, Jr., MD, JD

Related Posts

  • There’s no such thing as work-life balance

    Katie Fortenberry, PhD
  • My grandfather’s death: What I’ve learned about life

    Munera Ahmed
  • Does work-life balance really exist for young mothers pursuing medical careers?

    Sheindel Ifrah
  • Is social media a friend or foe of science?

    Michael Joyce, MD
  • How to balance confidence and humility online

    Brian A. Primack, MD, PhD
  • Ethical humanism: life after #medbikini and an approach to reimagining professionalism

    Jay Wong

More in Physician

  • A mentor’s legacy in medicine, leadership, and embracing evidence-based care

    Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA
  • Breaking free from restrictive covenants to combat burnout

    Raya E. Kheirbek, MD
  • From medical student to intern: Discovering a deeper connection with patients

    Johnathan Yao, MD, MPH
  • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

    Jennifer Lycette, MD
  • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

    Deepak Gupta, MD
  • Master time management with 7 productivity strategies for optimal results

    Farzana Hoque, MD
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Overcoming the lies of depression: Senator John Fetterman’s struggle with mental health

      Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD | Conditions
    • Master the ABIM Certification exam with effective strategies: insider tips for success

      Farzana Hoque, MD | Education
    • A mentor’s legacy in medicine, leadership, and embracing evidence-based care

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Breaking free from restrictive covenants to combat burnout

      Raya E. Kheirbek, MD | Physician
    • Fixing the system and prioritizing patient care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

Subscribe to KevinMD and never miss a story!

Get free updates delivered free to your inbox.


Find jobs at
Careers by KevinMD.com

Search thousands of physician, PA, NP, and CRNA jobs now.

Learn more

View 2 Comments >

Founded in 2004 by Kevin Pho, MD, KevinMD.com is the web’s leading platform where physicians, advanced practitioners, nurses, medical students, and patients share their insight and tell their stories.

Social

  • Like on Facebook
  • Follow on Twitter
  • Connect on Linkedin
  • Subscribe on Youtube
  • Instagram

CME Spotlights

From MedPage Today

Latest News

  • New Data in NSCLC Bolster Support for Perioperative Immunotherapy
  • Breathing Support Type Matters for Preventing Extubation Failure in the PICU
  • Second-Line Axi-Cel Bests Standard in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
  • New Agents for Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Impress in Early-Stage Clinical Trials
  • Kratom Linked to Outsized Proarrhythmic Risks

Meeting Coverage

  • New Data in NSCLC Bolster Support for Perioperative Immunotherapy
  • Second-Line Axi-Cel Bests Standard in Relapsed/Refractory Large B-Cell Lymphoma
  • New Agents for Relapsed/Refractory Myeloma Impress in Early-Stage Clinical Trials
  • CAR-T Tops Standard Care in Heavily Pretreated Lenalidomide-Refractory Myeloma
  • T-DXd Proves Mettle in Multiple Solid Tumors
  • Most Popular

  • Past Week

    • Boxing legends Tyson and Foreman: powerful lessons for a resilient and evolving health care future

      Harvey Castro, MD, MBA | Physician
    • We need a new Hippocratic Oath that puts patient autonomy first

      Jeffrey A. Singer, MD | Physician
    • A physician’s typical day, as envisioned by a non-clinician health care MBA: a satire

      Jennifer Lycette, MD | Physician
    • Is chaos in health care leading us towards socialized medicine? How physician burnout is a catalyst.

      Howard Smith, MD | Physician
    • Decoding name displays in health care: Privacy, identification, and compliance unveiled

      Deepak Gupta, MD | Physician
    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
  • Past 6 Months

    • It’s time to replace the 0 to 10 pain intensity scale with a better measure

      Mark Sullivan, MD and Jane Ballantyne, MD | Conditions
    • “Is your surgeon really skilled? The hidden threat to public safety in medicine.

      Gene Uzawa Dorio, MD | Physician
    • Unveiling the hidden damage: the secretive world of medical boards

      Alan Lindemann, MD | Physician
    • Breaking the cycle of racism in health care: a call for anti-racist action

      Tomi Mitchell, MD | Policy
    • Revolutionize your practice: the value-based care model that reduces physician burnout

      Chandravadan Patel, MD | Physician
    • An inspiring tribute to an exceptional radiologist who made a lasting impact

      Kim Downey, PT | Conditions
  • Recent Posts

    • Unlocking resilience: a powerful journey from trauma to transformation [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast
    • Overcoming the lies of depression: Senator John Fetterman’s struggle with mental health

      Harvey Max Chochinov, MD, PhD | Conditions
    • Master the ABIM Certification exam with effective strategies: insider tips for success

      Farzana Hoque, MD | Education
    • A mentor’s legacy in medicine, leadership, and embracing evidence-based care

      Arthur Lazarus, MD, MBA | Physician
    • Breaking free from restrictive covenants to combat burnout

      Raya E. Kheirbek, MD | Physician
    • Fixing the system and prioritizing patient care [PODCAST]

      The Podcast by KevinMD | Podcast

MedPage Today Professional

An Everyday Health Property Medpage Today
  • Terms of Use | Disclaimer
  • Privacy Policy
  • DMCA Policy
All Content © KevinMD, LLC
Site by Outthink Group

A glimpse into the fragile balance of life and death in the ICU
2 comments

Comments are moderated before they are published. Please read the comment policy.

Loading Comments...