COVID-19 ICU Care: A Doctor’s Experience
Summary
In this article, we will share the experiences of a doctor caring for COVID-19 patients in the ICU. They discuss the challenges of treating critically ill patients, the three Ps of care, and the balance between reopening the economy and the lack of testing and contact tracing. The doctor also shares their frustration with the new level of unpredictability and the recent announcement of reaching a hundred thousand deaths in America.
Table of Contents
- The Three Ps of Care
- Balancing Reopening with Lack of Testing
- Challenges of Caring for Critically Ill Patients
- A Busy Week of Trauma Patients
- The Frustration of Unpredictability
The Three Ps of Care
The doctor caring for COVID-19 patients in the ICU shares their experience with the three Ps of care: proning, paralysis, and patience. They explain that these three elements are crucial in treating critically ill patients and helping them recover. The doctor expresses happiness about successfully removing the breathing tube from one patient who has been in the ICU for a long time. However, another patient is not doing well and is failing every therapy.
Balancing Reopening with Lack of Testing
The doctor discusses the challenges of balancing the desire to reopen the economy with the lack of testing and contact tracing. They express their exhaustion and look forward to returning to work on Monday. The doctor also mentions being involved in data entry for national groups keeping track of how hospitals are doing with COVID-19 patients. They discuss the slow rise of cases in their city and the challenges of managing the situation.
Challenges of Caring for Critically Ill Patients
The doctor shares their frustration with the challenges of caring for COVID-19 patients in the ICU. They explain that these patients require a lot of attention and adjustments, and many are critically ill and difficult to treat. The doctor expresses sympathy for their nurses and mentions that they have been caring for trauma patients, which they find easier than COVID patients. They also take a break to care for their orchid plant and express gratitude for the opportunity to learn from their experiences.
A Busy Week of Trauma Patients
The doctor describes a busy week of caring for trauma patients, including several incidents of stabbings and cardiac arrests. They explain that they operate on patients with gunshot wounds and COVID-19. The hospital has converted certain pods of the ICU into negative pressure areas to treat COVID-19 patients. The doctor misses their husband, going out to eat, and the day-to-day surgical ICU routine.
The Frustration of Unpredictability
The doctor expresses their frustration with the new level of unpredictability in their work. They discuss the long burn of always having a few COVID-19 patients around and the challenges of managing their care. The doctor also mentions the death of a COVID-19 patient and the recent announcement of reaching a hundred thousand deaths in America. They end by encouraging people to hug their loved ones and get back to work.
Conclusion
Caring for COVID-19 patients in the ICU is a challenging and exhausting task. The doctor in this article shares their experience with the three Ps of care, the challenges of balancing reopening with the lack of testing, and the frustration of caring for critically ill patients. They also discuss the importance of gratitude and learning from their experiences. As the pandemic continues, it is crucial to remember the sacrifices of healthcare workers and to take steps to prevent the spread of the virus.
