Category Archives: Level 1 Trauma Center at Swedish

Off-Duty Swedish Nurse Helps Save Man’s Life

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“I don’t remember much but from what I heard, I was saved by some angels.”

Sixty-eight year old James Southard was out and about on a normal Thursday afternoon with his wife Michele and his 8-month old grandson and their two dogs. They had just finished up a routine visit at the veterinary clinic and were on their way home.  Getting into the car, James says he felt normal, nothing out of the ordinary but as he was pulling out of the parking lot he stepped on the break and yelled out  “oh no!”  The next thing his wife Michele knew, James was passed out in the driver’s seat. “I was so scared, I put the car in park and got out to start screaming for help,” she explains.

At the same moment that James passed out, off-duty Swedish Emergency Department RN Debora Rewerts was across the street gassing up her car. She pulled out of the parking lot when she noticed traffic wasn’t moving and there was a man lying on the ground. “I didn’t think twice and ran over to him. There were already people there trying to help. One man in particular was there trying to speak to him and kept things calm,” says Debora.  At first she thought James was having a stroke. Someone had already called 9-1-1 so Debora called into the Emergency Department at Swedish Medical Center to warn them a stroke patient was soon to be on their way.

Shortly after the call to the ED, James stopped breathing. The Englewood Fire Department on the way, Debora and another man started administering CPR. “Being a nurse and reacting to emergencies is what I’ve done for 24 years. It’s like second nature,” says Debora.  James was taken to Swedish by ambulance.

“Everyone played a prime part in saving his life. It was just a sense of relief that I wasn’t alone,” says his wife Michele.  She explains that once James was transported to the hospital, a stranger helped to bring her, and her grandson along with the two dogs to the emergency waiting room. “There were so many strangers who helped in this situation. They are truly our angels and I’m so grateful they were there for us,” Michele explains.  Upon arrival to the hospital it was determined that James wasn’t having a stroke but was suffering from a heart attack and he was rushed to the Cardiac Cath Lab where he immediately received a stent and was then taken to the Critical Care Unit.

“God protected me, that is all I can say,” says James.  Debora and James were reunited the day after the incident and it couldn’t have been a better moment for everyone involved. “He looks great! It’s so rewarding to see him,” Debora said with a smile.

“Life is short, Debora expanded mine, that’s for sure!” says James.

Tips for Preventing your Child from Getting Hurt

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As a dedicated parent, you undoubtedly want to protect your child from harm as much as possible. Parents often remark that when their children hurt, they hurt too, and nothing is more nerve-racking than taking your child to the hospital. Luckily, there are several ways to help your child play safer and avoid physical injury.

Swedish Medical Center pediatrician, Dr. Martin Alswang give parents tips on how to keep their child safe in and out of the house.

  • In the kitchen, keep hot liquids away from your child. Avoid carrying hot items and your baby at the same time. Plus, use your stove’s back burners and turn pot handles toward the back of the stove. Make sure to keep glassware, flatware, appliances and appliance cords away from the edges of tables and counters.
  • In the bathroom, keep all medication in a secure place where your child cannot access it. Avoid using euphemisms for medicine such as “candy,” as this could give your child the wrong idea about its uses.
  • Always close toilet seat covers, and always cover all buckets of water and cleaning agents – children can fall in and drown.
  • Never put cleaning agents and chemicals into other bottles (i.e.: soda bottles) as children may see a “soda” bottle and have a drink, injuring themselves.
  • Around the house, keep all lighters and matches safely locked away and do not use candles around young children. Also, use safety gates at the top and bottom of the stairs and be sure to close and lock the basement door to help prevent injuries from falls. Utilize window guards that prevent a window from being opened all the way. Additionally, buy cordless blinds or cut the cords so your child cannot get tangled up in them.
  • Children climbing up TVs or shelving have caused them to topple and have killed and maimed many children. Secure them against the wall with hardware devices and prohibit the act.
  • In the garage, safely store any chemicals in a secured place. Be sure to keep tools off the ground and on high shelves that children cannot reach.
  • In the yard, fence off and cover your pool when you are not actively using it. Never let a child swim or wade without adult supervision. Lastly, make sure all playground equipment is sturdy and soft—cover any sharp corners or edges with padding to help prevent injury.
  • Cover lawn-edging strips especially if metal – falling on the edges can cause deep dirty cuts.
  • Inform visitors who are staying over to be very aware to be careful with their medications, not leave them around, secure them etc.

If you or your child is in need of medical care in Denver, come to Swedish Medical Center, a Level 1 Trauma Center with excellent doctors, nurses and personnel who provide high-quality medical care. We utilize state-of-the-art equipment and pride ourselves on our efficient and capable care. Call us at (303) 788-5000.

Why All Head Injuries Should Be Checked

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Head injuries, also known as traumatic brain injuries, can be caused by a jolt, blow, or any sudden trauma to the skull. Symptoms of these injuries will often depend on the severity of the initial trauma and can range from mild to severe. Although some injuries to the brain can be considered only ‘mild’, it is vital that all victims of suspected head trauma be evaluated by a medical professional as soon as possible.

“It is critical to see a trained medical professional to rule out any urgent, life threatening head injuries that may require close monitoring, medications to prevent seizures, or surgical intervention. With advances in technology and imaging techniques, we are now able to gather a better understanding of the nature of each particular head injury allowing us to put forth the most appropriate treatment option. Unlike other medical conditions, it is important to understand that head injuries are cumulative and can significantly change your long term ability to carry out mental and physical activities,” explains Swedish PA-C Tyler Schaefer MMS.

Read on to learn why it is so important that all head injuries be checked by a doctor.

  • To ensure a healthy oxygen supply: If the brain becomes injured, swelling, inflammation, and other problems can occur that may result in reduced oxygen concentrations in the brain. Without oxygen, brain cells can quickly die and cause damage to brain tissue. Seeing a doctor immediately will help to avoid any complications associated with oxygen deprivation.
  • To look for musculoskeletal injuries: A physician may also recommend diagnostic imaging tests such as x-rays, CT scans, or MRIs to evaluate the patient for any injuries to the skull, spine, or brain tissue. If there are any such injuries, they can be treated before further complications can arise.
  • To check for the presence of hematomas: Hematomas, or ruptured blood vessels, can lead to dangerous amounts of pressure building up in the brain. Once detected, these abnormalities can safely be removed or repaired.
  • To determine a treatment or therapy plan: Even in cases of mild head injury, patients can experience problems with cognition (thinking), mood swings, and sleeping issues long after the injury was sustained. Meeting with a physician can help the patient and his or her loved ones know what to expect and how to deal with the symptoms as effectively as possible to ensure a quick and healthy recovery process.

The Level 1 Trauma Center at Swedish Medical Center in Denver is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to provide leading-edge medical care when you and your loved ones need it most. Call our hospital today at (303) 788-5000 to learn more about our comprehensive emergency care services.

Signs that Your Loved One is in Need of Emergency Care

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Medical emergencies can happen at any time and at any place. Although it can be difficult to be truly prepared for such an event, knowing the symptoms of a medical emergency and what to do if one occurs can allow you to help your loved ones get treatment faster. Below are some of the most common signs that your loved one may be in need of emergency medical care from a hospital in Denver.

Chest pain: Chest pain or tightness that lasts more than a few minutes, or that subsides and comes back, can be a sign of a heart attack. Other heart attack warning signs include sweating, shortness of breath, feelings of anxiety and nausea. Without immediate treatment, a heart attack can lead to permanent disability or death.

Weakness on one side of the body: Sudden weakness or numbness on one side of the face and body, especially when accompanied by difficulty speaking, visual changes or a severe headache, is a warning sign of stroke. These symptoms indicate that immediate emergency medical care is required.

Severe bleeding: Even when caused by a small cut, severe bleeding can be a problem. Bleeding that does not cease with continued pressure should be treated by medical professionals immediately to avoid dangerous levels of blood loss and shock.

Head trauma: Injuries to the head can lead to dangerous bleeding in the brain tissue or in the membranous layers that protect the brain. Even if a person seems alert after head trauma, medical care is recommended.

“If you are critically ill or injured, the best way to get to the ER is via the EMS system. Because of the ability of EMS personnel to provide advance hospital notification and activate specialty services, such as the cardiac cath lab, patients with heart attacks and strokes who arrive via EMS actually have shorter times to treatment, and in the case of stroke, are more likely to be eligible for treatment. Patients often underestimate serious symptoms. If you or a loved one have symptoms of a possible stroke or heart attack, call 911,” says Dylan Luyten MD FACEP, Swedish EMS Medical Director.

Knowing where to go when a medical emergency occurs can help you get treatment faster when you need it most. When making your emergency plans, consider Swedish Medical Center as your hospital of choice. Our 24-hour emergency services department is designated as a Level 1 Trauma Center and is prepared to treat even the most complicated of medical issues. We are ready to treat patients of all ages and have both adult and pediatric board-certified emergency professionals on staff. Call us today at (303) 788-5000 to learn more about our services.

Concussion Warning Signs

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Concussions are potentially severe brain injuries that are caused by trauma to the skull. In the United States, sports-related concussions are extremely common, affecting more than 300,000 American athletes annually according to the University of Pittsburgh Brain Trauma Research Center.

By watching the video above, you can learn more about the symptoms of concussions. You can also find out when parents should consider seeking professional medical help for an injured child.

If you suspect that you or your child may have a concussion, the professionals of Swedish Medical Center are available to answer your medical questions, so call us today at (303) 788-5000. Our hospital is the region’s referral center for neurotrauma and is a recognized leader in the treatment of neurological conditions.

What is a Concussion?

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“Believe it or not, many (if not most) concussions are preventable. Precautions like wearing a helmet or buckling up can decrease your risk of concussion injury.”—Phyllis Uribe, Swedish Trauma Supervisor. 

A concussion is a form of traumatic brain injury (TBI) that results in the temporary loss of normal brain function. Concussions can be caused by a fall or blow to the head that causes the brain to move quickly back and forth. Although most concussions may be considered relatively minor brain injuries, these events can cause long-term changes in the way that the brain functions and may require treatment at a hospital.

The symptoms of concussion are normally categorized into four groups, depending on how they affect brain function.

  • Thinking/Remembering: These symptoms can include difficulty thinking clearly, concentrating or remembering new information. Some sufferers also feel as if their thinking process has slowed down.
  • Physical: Depending on the area of the brain affected by the concussion, patients can experience a variety of physical symptoms. Headache, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and fatigue can all occur as the result of concussion. Victims of concussion may also experience sensory difficulties such as light sensitivity and blurry vision.
  • Emotional/Mood: Concussions can also affect a person’s mood by causing irritability, sadness, stress, anxiety or nervousness.
  • Sleep: After a concussion, a victim can have difficulties maintaining healthy sleep patterns. Some sleep more than usual, while others do not sleep enough or have issues falling asleep.

Normally, the symptoms of concussion only occur briefly and resolve completely after a short time. In some cases, however, the symptoms require a much longer recovery period. Some symptoms may also appear long after the injury occurred.

In rare cases, a concussion can lead to serious and life-threatening symptoms that require immediate attention from a hospital’s emergency department. Some of the severe danger signs of concussions include seizures or convulsions, a worsening of symptoms, loss of consciousness, an inability to be woken up, slurred speech and decreased coordination.

The Level I Trauma Center at Swedish Medical Center is available 24 hours per day, seven days a week to provide expert care to you and your loved ones when every second counts. Contact our staff today by calling (303) 788-5000 for more information about our comprehensive medical services.