MANSFIELD — Sandy Smith was one of those people who hated to wait for treatment in MedCentral’s Emergency Department. She has since changed her mind.
Her 40-year-old husband, Jason, was in the throes of a heart attack when the rescue squad brought him in to the emergency area. Michelle Evans, R.N., performed Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation while emergency personnel used the automated external defibrillator to regulate his heart. He was quickly transferred to the cardiac catheterization lab where the cardiac cath lab team assisted Medical Director of MedCentral’s Cardiovascular Medicine Program Gregory Eaton, M.D., to insert a stent.
“Now I know the reason people have to wait is because someone with more serious issues is being treated in one of the other rooms,” said Sandy, who had been in the the Emergency Department numerous times with her husband and son for minor issues.
“I used to be one of those people who complained, but not anymore,” she said. “I can’t tell you how well we were treated down there. An X-ray technician stayed with me the entire time. I was in shock watching them work on Jason. She held on to me and kept me calm. Michelle was performing CPR and she worked on him until she got a pulse.”
Evans, who is director of emergency services, credited the entire staff for helping to save Smith’s life.
“I was a small part of the overall team working on him,” said Evans, citing the physicians, nurses and technicians working on the patient.
Jason says he barely remembers the experience.
He said the day started with no symptoms. He was home with their 14-year-old son while his wife went to Columbus to have a “girl’s outing” with her mother and sisters.
“We were having a good time, but I had this unexplained, uneasy feeling all day long,” said Sandy. “At 1:45, I couldn’t fight the urge to go home any longer. I left Columbus and what seemed like 10 minutes later, I was getting off on the Mansfield exit. I know now that God was looking out for us. When I got home, Jason was throwing up and had this horrible gray color. His lips were blue. I got him an aspirin and called the rescue squad. I knew it was bad when the squad hit the switch to trip the traffic lights.”
Once the doctor on duty examined him, he told Sandy that Jason was having a heart attack and he ordered a chest X-ray. Following Emergency Department Protocol, treatment moved quickly to MedCentral’s heart area.
“Michelle kept assuring me that I had done everything right. I gave him an aspirin. I called the squad. I just kept begging Jason not to leave me,” recalled Sandy, who was keenly aware that Jason’s father suffered a massive heart attack at the age of 45 while water skiing.
Jason was in the Intensive Care Unit for three days and Coronary Step-down for three days. He is in follow-up care now with MedCentral cardiac educator Kay Truax, who has been monitoring his progress for the last few months.
“I feel good now. It has changed my whole outlook. I’ve lost about 15 pounds, and am trying to make changes in my diet. We’re reading labels. I will start cardio rehab in June and I know that will help,” said Jason, who works as a tow-motor driver and umpires baseball games.
The Smiths say they never miss an opportunity to tell people of their positive experience at MedCentral.
“The Emergency Room does get a bad rap, but not from me!” said Sandy.
The couple brought flowers in to the staff to thank them for saving Jason’s life.
“They really have a thankless job. I wanted to come back and thank them personally for what they did for me,” said Jason.
“As a patient, nothing prepares you for something like this, but the Emergency Department staff is prepared all the time,” added Sandy.
