Change of shift at the Grand Bank Health Centre.
The handover from the day shift staff to the night shift is proceeding as usual, when suddenly, a 911 call comes in to the Centre that a man has collapsed on the road not far from the hospital. An ambulance is required.
Jaclyn Hillier, a registered nurse, had just arrived to start her shift and Licensed Practical Nurse Lori Singleton was just getting ready to go home when they heard the call.
They both ran to the main entrance of the Health Centre – and spotted a small crowd across the road, a few hundred yards away.
They raced to the scene and approached the man who was unconscious, and having trouble breathing. Jaclyn took his pulse and knew CPR was needed – fast. She began chest compressions and Lori initiated mouth-to-mouth resuscitation.
Lori and Jaclyn were the first health care professionals to arrive, and there was no time to waste. Bystanders told them that the man, a senior, was walking with his wife, when he suddenly dropped to the ground.
When the ambulance arrived, the emergency staff took over and managed to establish a normal heart rhythm, stabilizing the man enough to transport him to the Intensive Care Unit at the Burin Hospital, close to 60 kilometres away.
Not so fast! Within a couple of days, by his own account, he was talking and eating, and in less than a week was released from hospital.
In a small town like Grand Bank, there's a good chance you'll run into your health care providers and Mr. Simms says they've bumped into each other a few times since their first encounter that night in April.
The 'guardian angels' say that although there's never a good time to have a heart attack, Garfield Simms was in the right place at the right time…close to the health centre at a change of shift, when there were extra nursing staff on hand.
Yvonne Harris is the Manager of Patient and Resident Care at the Grand Bank Health Centre – and Lori and Jaclyn's supervisor. She says the events of that night – and the outcome – made everyone feel pretty good.
This story was written by Deborah Collins, a communications manager in St. John's.
Thank God for you both and the wonderful gifts He has Blessed you guys with, keep up the good work. God Bless.
So proud of you girls . Garfield sure has 2 wonderful angels !!!!
THANK GOD FOR THESE 2 PEOPLE WHO HELPED HIM!
THANK GOD FOR THESE 2 PEOPLE!
Great job girls………….amazing being at the right place at the right time for sure!!!!!!!!!!
Touching story indeed. I consider all Health Care workers as angels put here to help us and often save us and I never miss an opportunity to tell them how I feel because they deserve our praise, our gratitude and our many thanks.
Having worked at GBHC for many years I know what these two amazing ladies did is what life when you work in a small rural emergency clinic is ALL about! You not only do your shifts but you live your life for it! Great job Jaclyn and Lori,as well as our dedicated and wonderful ambulance staff and all the other men and women who are there to care for and save us every day!!
Lori and Jaclyn, when one becomes a nurse they always put themselves on the front line and think of others before themselves. Bouquet of flowers to both of you for for your quick actions. This gentleman can still enjoy life thanks to you both.
I sit here with tears in my eyes having read this story! Guardian Angels, indeed! Well done to you both and wishing Mr. Simms a long and happy life!
It makes glad that there are great people in the health care system who would drop everything to help a fellow human being. I sure hope someone sends this to be reviewed for a Canada Medal or even a Newfoundland medal of heroism.
WTG Lori and Jaclyn so proud of you two and the work you are doing ,so proud to say I worked with both of you in the past and know first hand of your excellent work ethics !!!!!