"We take a pause at the end of the case and just acknowledge that there's a human here, a person, someone who has community, someone who is loved. It's not much, but I think that it goes a long way."
"Dell has lamentably developed an expertise in resuscitating patients with severe hypothermia. But the hospital is turning that into an advantage by studying hypothermia more closely. It says it has saved four people who were on the brink of death from hypothermia over the past two winters."
St. Michael's Hospital in downtown Toronto has experienced seven deaths from severe accidental hypothermia over two winters, primarily affecting the homeless population. Emergency department staff pause to acknowledge each deceased patient as a valued human being. Dr. Evelyn Dell leads a hospital initiative to better understand and treat severe hypothermia cases. The team has successfully resuscitated four patients on the brink of death from hypothermia. While the City of Toronto has added shelter spaces and winter support programs, shelters remain overwhelmed. Healthcare workers endure significant emotional strain from intensive resuscitation efforts lasting hours per patient, carrying memories of both successes and losses.
#homelessness-and-cold-related-deaths #emergency-medicine-and-hypothermia-treatment #healthcare-worker-compassion #toronto-shelter-crisis
Read at www.cbc.ca
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