On the evening of 25/2, nurse Ha was waiting for her child after school and stopped by a Winmart supermarket to buy some groceries for dinner. Unexpectedly, a 59-year-old security guard at the supermarket began to seize uncontrollably, turned blue, and then stopped breathing and circulating. Reacting instinctively as a nurse, Ha immediately rushed over, quickly assessed the patient's condition, and knelt to perform emergency cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) on the spot. After about two minutes of continuous chest compressions, the patient's pulse returned, the cyanosis improved, and he gradually regained consciousness before being transferred to a hospital.

Nurse Ha works at the Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital. Photo: Hospital provided

Nurse Ha works at the Poison Control Center, Bach Mai Hospital, where she encounters and participates in numerous emergency treatments daily. Therefore, upon seeing the security guard collapse, she administered first aid as a professional reflex. Throughout the rescue, she did not introduce herself, focusing solely on saving the man. It was only after the ambulance departed that people realized she was a nurse.

"It was a professional reflex", Ha stated, adding, "If CPR hadn't been performed immediately, he might not have had a chance to live".

Respiratory-circulatory arrest is a sudden interruption of the heart's pumping activity, preventing blood from circulating to other parts of the body. Without timely emergency intervention, this condition leads to rapid death.

The primary goal of emergency care for circulatory arrest is to maintain breathing and heart function, preventing the brain from ceasing activity and causing damage to other organs in the body.

When experiencing circulatory arrest, patients face the risk of oxygen deprivation to organs. This is a cause of death or permanent brain damage within minutes. Early detection and prompt, correct emergency care can help patients escape these dangers.

Leaders at Bach Mai Hospital commended nurse Ha's actions, highlighting the effectiveness of pre-hospital emergency care. The hospital currently emphasizes training in pre-hospital emergency care for forces such as the navy, firefighters, and students, aiming for everyone to be able to respond effectively to emergencies outside the hospital.

Le Nga