Actual, honest-to-God Scenario

[Guest guest]

Dispatched to our local nursing home for a patient whose oxygen saturation is

low.  Yes, they call EMS for that, and yes, the Fire Department also goes, since

it's a respiratory issue.  That's how I'm involved.

We arrive and find the patient being " attended " by a member of the nursing home

staff.  The patient is about 45 years of age, skin is warm, dry, and pink

mucosa.  Patient is conversing with the staff member, apparently coherently.  I

ask what's wrong this evening.  The nurse points to the pulse oximeter, and says

" her O2 sat is too low. "   From the nurse's perspective, I understand.  It says,

quite clearly... " 86 " .  This could be bad.

So...I pick up the pulse oximeter, turn it RIGHT SIDE UP...and it says...wonder

of wonders... " 98 " .  I increased the patient's oxygen saturation 12% simply by

turning the machine so we can read it correctly.

You can't make this up.

 Phil Reynolds Jr.

115 Harold Dr.

Burnet, TX., 78611

HP

CP