So a patient started a fire in the ER

[moshquerade]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
So i've seen just about everything working as an ER nurse. But the other day was certainly a new experience for me. I guess they should add volunteer firefighter to our job descriptions at my hospital.

Anyways we got this patient that 'couldn't walk' Except he could. He is a frequent flyer as we call our patients who like to frequent the ER. He has a nasty reputation for verbal abuse and likes to try and get physical at times. Anyways so he repeatable refused to my requests to take his jacket off so we could take his BP. Finally the doctor talked to him and told him that he would have to leave if he wouldn't cooperate.

So I turned away and was charting on a different patient when I saw a flash of light. At first I thought a light bulb had popped, then I realized the flash wasn't a flash and was growing brighter. I turned and looked and saw a patient gown on fire on the floor. I yelled oh shit! Ran over to the flaming gown and started stomping on the gown and put it out but not before i melted part of the sole of my shoe...then I realized the patient had set himself on fire too! And the SOB was trying to light the privacy curtain on fire! Then all of a sudden a police officer who was apparently walking by stormed in and hit this patients wrist so hard I swore it broke but the guy dropped the lighter...so then i started patting the patient down and managed to put him out too.

Then promptly call the hospital security police who escorted the patient out who could now miraculously walk, and then arrested his ass.

Yay for me. I saved the ER from a potentially horrible thing from happening....and when I discussed the incident with management they just told me to make sure i pull the fire alarm first and not try and put the fire out... And I didn't even get a 'good job' or 'thanks.' But hey whatever, it's a selfless job. Just thought I'd share

Yeh, that's our procedure too. We are supposed to clear the area (get everyone out), then call for help, and THEN try to put the fire out if it's feasible. I think that following procedure isn't always the right way to do it in this case, and management can be dinks.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Originally posted by: moshquerade

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Yay for me. I saved the ER from a potentially horrible thing from happening....and when I discussed the incident with management they just told me to make sure i pull the fire alarm first and not try and put the fire out... And I didn't even get a 'good job' or 'thanks.' But hey whatever, it's a selfless job. Just thought I'd share

Yeh, that's our procedure too. We are supposed to clear the area (get everyone out), then call for help, and THEN try to put the fire out if it's feasible. I think that following procedure isn't always the right way to do it in this case, and management can be dinks.

That's because management is more afraid of litigation than a few people getting burned.

 

[Evadman]

Originally posted by: FoBoT
immediate response with a fire extinguisher will take care of most fires, good work

Especially to the head of the guy with the lighter. *Thunk*

 

[OCGuy]

Do you work with John Stamos?

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: bobdole369
You probably should have pulled the alarm and let the patient burn.

Honestly by doing anything else you open yourself up to litigation. By acting as a fireman, you are expected to perform as a fireman, and if it got out of control it would be your fault for not pulling the alarm.

Quite stupid yes, and cheers for saving the day, you did right by man, but not by your paycheck/wallet/purse/days in court.

Your logic is retarded. Putting out fire =/ acting like a fireman. And acting like a fireman =/ being expected to perform as a fireman.

Lastly, if the fire got "out of control" he still could have pulled the alarm. More harm is done evacuating a hospital when not necessary.

 

[911paramedic]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: bobdole369
You probably should have pulled the alarm and let the patient burn.

Honestly by doing anything else you open yourself up to litigation. By acting as a fireman, you are expected to perform as a fireman, and if it got out of control it would be your fault for not pulling the alarm.

Quite stupid yes, and cheers for saving the day, you did right by man, but not by your paycheck/wallet/purse/days in court.

Your logic is retarded. Putting out fire =/ acting like a fireman. And acting like a fireman =/ being expected to perform as a fireman.

Lastly, if the fire got "out of control" he still could have pulled the alarm. More harm is done evacuating a hospital when not necessary.

It just gets the FF's on the way in case it does get out of control. They will not evacuate unless its a huge hazard.

I forgot the acronym for this, but yes, activating/notifying the FF is before extinguishing. Good job though, some of those frequent fliers can be a handful.

 

[Mark R]

When I worked in the ER, one dude grabbed an oxygen cylinder and started trying to set fire to things fanning the flames with the oxygen. As soon as he was spotted, he then barricaded himself into a restroom with the oxygen.

Had to evacuate the entire ER, bringing all the patients who could go out into the middle of the parking lot, and those who couldn't, to somewhere else in the hospital, while we waited for the cops and FD to attend. The cops broke down the door, and prompty arrested his ass. Fortunately, he hadn't managed to set a significant fire.

Man, I'm glad I don't have to do that job any more.

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

It just gets the FF's on the way in case it does get out of control. They will not evacuate unless its a huge hazard.

I forgot the acronym for this, but yes, activating/notifying the FF is before extinguishing. Good job though, some of those frequent fliers can be a handful.

Ah k, well someone else can always yank the alarm too!

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: 911paramedic

It just gets the FF's on the way in case it does get out of control. They will not evacuate unless its a huge hazard.

I forgot the acronym for this, but yes, activating/notifying the FF is before extinguishing. Good job though, some of those frequent fliers can be a handful.

Ah k, well someone else can always yank the alarm too!

That was my thought...my only thought at the time was protecting my other patients. I knew there were other people around that could have pulled the fire alarm. There was no way I wasn't going to try and put out that fire. Our 'modules' have room for like 14 patients and there is an oxygen wall mount for each spot, plus all the gurneys with linen etc...its like a giant tinderbox. If I didn't get in there quickly it would have gotten really bad really quickly.

Just like last year when a guy pulled a live grenade and pulled the pin at our security checkpoint in the hospital...the security officer(ex-Marine) didn't wait for backup, he tackled the guy got the grenade and held the spoon down on the grenade, under his body, until bomb squad arrived. There was no time to think about 'procedure' I had to act, or else the consequences would have been dire.

 

[jlee]

:beer:

Good job.

 

[Exterous]

Originally posted by: tk149
I know I've been here too long because when I read the thread title, I knew who posted it before I looked at the username.

Good job, DeathBUA! You probably saved lots of lives...not that you don't do that daily anyway.

Me too...although I haven't been here that long.

Oh, by the way DeathBUA since you didn't follow procedure regarding a fire in the ER we cannot help but find you responsible for the damage to the floor and privacy curtain. Your pay will be docked the estimated amount of the damage

Seriously though - quick thinking and good work.

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: Joemonkey
wait a minute... did i just find video of this?!?!

Text

WTF?

 

[lokiju]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Just like last year when a guy pulled a live grenade and pulled the pin at our security checkpoint in the hospital...the security officer(ex-Marine) didn't wait for backup, he tackled the guy got the grenade and held the spoon down on the grenade, under his body, until bomb squad arrived. There was no time to think about 'procedure' I had to act, or else the consequences would have been dire.

Holy shit dude.

WTH do you work? What city?

 

[TallBill]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Just like last year when a guy pulled a live grenade and pulled the pin at our security checkpoint in the hospital...the security officer(ex-Marine) didn't wait for backup, he tackled the guy got the grenade and held the spoon down on the grenade, under his body, until bomb squad arrived. There was no time to think about 'procedure' I had to act, or else the consequences would have been dire.

That's fucking crazy. He definitely deserves a civilian medal for that one.

 

[Crusty]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA
Just like last year when a guy pulled a live grenade and pulled the pin at our security checkpoint in the hospital...the security officer(ex-Marine) didn't wait for backup, he tackled the guy got the grenade and held the spoon down on the grenade, under his body, until bomb squad arrived. There was no time to think about 'procedure' I had to act, or else the consequences would have been dire.

:Q:Q:Q:Q:Q

Where the hell do you work!?

 

[TraumaRN]

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Just like last year when a guy pulled a live grenade and pulled the pin at our security checkpoint in the hospital...the security officer(ex-Marine) didn't wait for backup, he tackled the guy got the grenade and held the spoon down on the grenade, under his body, until bomb squad arrived. There was no time to think about 'procedure' I had to act, or else the consequences would have been dire.

That's fucking crazy. He definitely deserves a civilian medal for that one.

He refused all awards...he still insists he was just doing his job and his duty. He's a friend of mine...an awesome guy truly.

 

[tranceport]

Originally posted by: bobdole369
You probably should have pulled the alarm.

Honestly by doing anything else you open yourself up to litigation. By acting as a fireman, you are expected to perform as a fireman, and if it got out of control it would be your fault for not pulling the alarm.

I agree here. I do applaud OP for stopping the fire though.

The problem is litigation. My personal opinion is to stop people from being burned. However, I'm sure hospital managment is wanting to avoid lawsuits.

Either way I would have made you you knew you did a good job.

 

[slightlyhuman]

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: Kadarin
Good job. Hopefully that jackass will go to jail, though what he really deserves is a good kick in the face.

I was sooooooooo pissed and besides that my adrenaline was POUNDING and the patient then got lippy with me......it took all i had not to pound the shit out of him. Especially considering the patient about 6 feet away from him was on oxygen too

whoa man, i can only imagine how bad that would've been.

<-works in OR

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wow good job, hope that "patient" gets some kind of penalty for that. Sounds like a phsyco. I think he needs to go the the MHU not the ER. Clearly he got lost in the building.

 

[TheVrolok]

Well done man. Nice to hear other horror stories, makes it easier to get through the night. Had a patient try to pull a knife on me the other day, tackled him and called for the four points.

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Originally posted by: TallBill

Originally posted by: DeathBUA

Just like last year when a guy pulled a live grenade and pulled the pin at our security checkpoint in the hospital...the security officer(ex-Marine) didn't wait for backup, he tackled the guy got the grenade and held the spoon down on the grenade, under his body, until bomb squad arrived. There was no time to think about 'procedure' I had to act, or else the consequences would have been dire.

That's fucking crazy. He definitely deserves a civilian medal for that one.

He refused all awards...he still insists he was just doing his job and his duty. He's a friend of mine...an awesome guy truly.

Your security >>> our security. In fact, I'm jealous. Myself and a few of the other bigger medical staff end up doing more than our security. It's awful.

Kudos to you, man. I can't imagine how ugly that would have turned had the fire reached any of the oxygen.

 

[Q]

Cool story, good job

 

[theprodigalrebel]

You did good, dude. :beer:

And WTF at people walking into ERs with grenades?

 

[MegaVovaN]

Shoulda let the fucker burn.

 

[rh71]

that reminds me I haven't seen the last 2 eps of ER.

(spare me the negative comments on that one)