Make It With You

34

"All right, everyone. Multiple blunt trauma protocol. Let's go."

"Tachycardic and hypotensive en route. Obvious head and chest injuries."

"What's the name of the victim?"

"Monique. That's her name," Mina answered, her voice shaking as she trembled in fear.

"Monique? Monique, we've got you. You hear me? Everything's going to be okay," the paramedic spoke gently, trying to reassure her.

"And you are?"

"I'm Mina. I'm her best friend," Mina replied, her voice barely a whisper as she wiped her tears away.

"Okay, Mina, stay in the waiting area. We'll try our best to save her. What's her blood type?"

"A positive," Mina answered, her voice faltering as she tried to steady herself.

"She's hemorrhaging."

"Wait-hold on. Is that blood coming from her chest?"

"She lost a lot of blood too."

"Make sure she gets plenty of fluids. Monique, can you blink for me?"

"Extraocular movement's intact. Pupils are equal and reactive."

"Set up a chest tray."

"I'm on it."

"Get those IVs up."

"And make sure her lines are patent."

"Depressed skull fracture with a probable bleed."

"I'll do a trauma ultrasound. Tell CT to get ready for her. No obvious spinal deformities."

"Hang two bags of A positive."

"Temp's 35 degrees. Keep giving her warm fluids so she doesn't get hypothermic."

"Should we start mannitol?"

"Hold on. Blood in the right upper quadrant. Push that LR in faster."

"She needs a central line."

"I'll do a subclavian."

"I need a central line kit and sterile gloves."

"Come on. Come on. Come on."

"Call upstairs and tell them to prep an OR. Where's that blood?"

"V-fib!"

"She's crashing. Start bagging her."

"Come on. Get her on her back."

"Starting CPR."

"Okay, get me an intubation tray, please."

"Ready to intubate. Hold in-line stabilization."

"Charging to 120. Clear."

"Still in V-fib."

"Alright. Charge the paddles to 200."

"Charged to 200. Clear."

"Sinus tach."

"She's back."

"Get the ambu on."

"Let's move. Here we go. Everybody, ready? Grab that. Grab it. Alright. Go, go, go. Let's move. Go."

"CT shows a large epidural and subdural."

"I need to get in there. Is she under?"

"We're ready for you."

"Alright. I'm going in. I need a 10-blade."

"Bovie."

"Wait. Wait. Stop. Her anesthesia's too light."