“Little hospital – Big Heart”
Thanks to the heroic efforts of Eagle Ridge Hospital staff, 38-year-old nurse Penny Reed is alive to tell her tale of surviving a life-threatening blood clot in her lung called a pulmonary embolism (full story). Penny’s husband Scott summed up their feelings about the ER staff with glistening eyes, “They’re all saints as far as we’re concerned!”
When Penny arrived by ambulance and went in to cardiac arrest, Dr. Jason Exner and the Emergency team quickly sprang to action. “Everyone’s energy was directed to bed 101,” said Scott. Dr. Peter Blair, who was at the hospital to perform elective surgery, was called upon to open up Penny’s chest. Then, with the whole team focused on keeping Penny alive, Dr. Exner began manual cardiac massage which he continued through the entire ambulance trip to Royal Columbian Hospital where Penny had open heart surgery.
Acute Care Director, Carol McGrandles explained, “It was a very intense time but we’re like a big family of health professionals here, and when one area needs help we all pitch in.” Staff came from many areas to provide assistance to Emergency, where resources were stretched beyond the limit. This demonstrated what many already know – even though Eagle Ridge is a small community hospital, it is one with a big heart.
Penny said, “I think that lots of people see the ‘Hospital’ and ‘Emergency’ signs as they drive by and think that a hospital is a hospital. They would probably be surprised to know that Eagle Ridge doesn’t offer all of the services they expect. However, when you are truly sick and arrive at Emergency, they are there for you.”
Arthur Lyons
On August 13, 2006, a neighbour called to say my brother Frank, age 86, had taken a spell and urged me to come right away. When I got there I found Frank unable to communicate clearly; unable to stand. After an anxious call to 911, an ambulance came quickly and transported him to Eagle Ridge Hospital straight away.
Caden and Lisa Boesel
Our story began when Caden was only three. Little boys are usually indestructible – full of noise and energy and unstoppable questions. Caden was none of those things right then. He had been ill for three weeks with high fevers, nausea, swelling behind his ear and dehydration that saw him lose 10 lbs. We took him to umpteen doctors and in spite of antibiotics for an ear infection, Caden kept getting worse. He was a sick little boy who couldn’t get the help he needed. Not being able to help him made me feel guilty and vulnerable. The lump had grown to the size of a red golf ball and on February 14, Valentine’s Day, in desperation and not knowing where else to turn, I took him to the Emergency Department at Eagle Ridge Hospital.
