Team EMS
Dispatch
We administered oxygen, hooked up the Lifepak 12 cardiac monitor/defibrillator, prepared the bag-valve-mask, checked her blood oxygen saturation level, ascertained her pulse, blood pressure, and respirations, and suctioned her airway. And when all the state-of-the-art lifesaving gear told us what we already knew: that the woman was in extremely critical condition--Roberto Abbruzzese practiced the art of caring. He kneeled down in front of the patient, took her hand in his, made solid eye contact, and started coaching her on how to breathe. When the suction machine wasn't of any more use, Roberto used his hand and some gauze bandages to gently sweep the fluid from the patient's mouth.
I watched as my partner worked for twenty-five minutes--the time it took before an Urgences Santé physician arrived on the scene--to help this elderly woman breathe. Her condition was still critical as the doctor established an intravenous line and administered medications, but the fact she was alive at all was related to her tremendous will to survive and my partner's endless supply of compassion.
Roberto Abbruzzese is one of those who wear the uniform of the Cote Saint-Luc Emergency Medical Services (Team EMS). There are many others who lend a hand, a heart, and much of their soul to ensure this community receives the best prehospital emergency care possible. When you encounter our volunteers on the street or in your home, please let them know how much their contribution to Cote Saint-Luc matters. They are some of the heroes who walk amongst us.
