Hi, it’s Patrik Hutzel from INTENSIVECAREHOTLINE.COM where we instantly improve the lives for Families of critically ill Patients in Intensive Care, so that you can make informed decisions, have PEACE OF MIND, real power, real control and so that you can influence decision
making fast, even if you’re not a doctor or a nurse in Intensive Care!
This is another episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” an and in last week’s episode I answered another question from our readers and the question was
Why The ICU Team Suggests Euthanasia For My Brother? HELP!
You can check out last week’s question by clicking on the link here.
In this episode of “YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED” I want to answer a question from one of my clients Megan, as part of my 1:1 consulting and advocacy service! Megan’s brother is in ICU and she
is asking how she can get her brother out of ICU to avoid another infection.
My Brother in ICU is Getting Better. How Can I Get Him Out of ICU to Avoid Another Infection?
“You can also check out previous 1:1 consulting and advocacy sessions with me and Megan here.”
Part 1
Part 2
Part 3
Part 4
Part 5
Part 6
Part 7
Part 8
Megan: Yes, not like Alfie.
Patrik: No, no, no, no, there was all very subdued and I could see there was too much… They had a bit of media exposure as well. They were in the Guardian and the BBC, but it was all very subdued. And I also wasn’t sure whether they were prepared to take help from the church. I’m not sure whether they were religious or, I don’t know enough.
Megan: No, no, no. I’ve never heard of this, which would follow that Alfie was really, he was taking all the attention at that time.
Patrik: Yes, yes, yes. But given that there was Charlie, then there was Drew and then there was Alfie, and that was within a year basically, it could happen tomorrow.
Megan: Yes. And the same thing will happen again.
Patrik: The same thing will happen again.
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Megan: So Patrik, I’m going to go there then this afternoon and I’m going to try and get a photo, and what else? I’m not going to… Just possibly if it’s appropriate, I’m going to start probably from the DNR.
Patrik: I think you may.
Megan: And what else? I might get ask them, what is the weaning plan?
Patrik: Yes. Yes. I think you definitely should, because this nurse, as far as I could tell, she had no idea.
Megan: No idea. I mean, Patrik will they have a weaning plan or-
Patrik: Didn’t you say there was something on the board or?
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Megan: Yes, there’s a plan for physiotherapy exercises and CPAP, and number of hours on the CPAP. But he’s absolutely exceeded the six hours, because now, if he’s still on it, he’s now 24 hours on CPAP. But I don’t know, beyond that, I’m not quite sure, but that’s the
plan.
Patrik: If you can, again, if you can, why don’t you take a picture of that plan, if you can. If you can’t, you can’t.
Megan: Yes, yes, yes. It more or less says exercises, rehabilitation something.
Patrik: And you know what you could ask as well then, given that he’s now had probably close to 24 hours off the ventilator, you could ask them when he would have the first time off the ventilator. Yeah, I think you can definitely do that too.
Megan: And Patrik, what would they do? They would take him off say for two hours.
Patrik: They might, yeah, yeah. They might just start with five minutes. It really depends on-
Megan: Five minutes?
Patrik: Yeah, they might just start with that. Or they may say, oh, let’s do two hours and see how it goes. Really depends. It depends on that-
Megan: Very gradual, very gradual.
Patrik: Well, some units aren’t, some aren’t. Again, it depends on their preferences, on their protocols, all of that.
Megan: Okay. Yes. Because I don’t know, but I don’t think that the plan goes further than CPAP.
Patrik: Okay. That’s all right. It is a step by step.
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Megan: Yes. Because I think they were amazed that he could even go back, because he failed quite badly on the CPAP. He was doing eight hours and then it was five hours and he was very tired. And then suddenly now going into this, it’s changed everything. Suddenly he’s turning round. So I think they’re probably quite surprised.
Patrik: I think because of what has been said, I just think you need to keep pushing along with asking, how can we get out of here?
Megan: Where we’re going?
Patrik: That’s right.
Megan: Because Patrik, that is the thing, to get him out of there, that’s all that matters at this moment. And to avoid another infection or another setback, because that’s when they’re going to start warning me again about the doom and gloom. I did say that to Dr. Huey, I said, “Enough of this doom and gloom, I think he’s doing better.” He said, “Oh, do you?” I said, “Yes, I do.” And I told him, I said, “I think your friend, Dr. Gie, is very
brutal.”
Patrik: Good. You’ve got nothing to apologize for. You know what I mean?
Megan: No, no, no. So that’s the plan, Patrik. So I’ll go in and I’ll try and get a picture of the plan. If not, I’ll write it down.
Patrik: If you can’t, sure.
Megan: It’s not terribly involved, and it’s only until tomorrow and then they’re going to review it on Monday. That was a four-day plan.
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Patrik: Okay. All right. And then let me know what you want me to do next. Just send me an email, whether you want me to call again, just let me know. It’ll be fine.
Megan: Lovely. I’ll give you a report later, of what I’ve discovered and hopefully send you some pictures. And then, do you think perhaps Patrik, Monday is the time to speak when the new plan is put in place?
Patrik: No, I wouldn’t because, I mean, the DNR has nothing to do with the plan really.
Megan: I mean you could speak to them.
Patrik: Oh, I see. I see. I think I’m really just be guided by you in terms of, does he keep progressing? Are they going to make your life difficult? It depends on all of that.
Megan: On all of that. So I’ll just keep you posted with all development, today and also overnight, I’ll just keep-
Patrik: And then we can play it by ear. I mean, you understand the dynamics, you know what needs to be done, and I’ll just be guided by you.
Megan: Wonderful, wonderful. I do hope and pray that Ryan continues, but I am realistic to know that things can change.
Patrik: Things can change, but he’s gone a long way. And always keep the 93% in mind. Always keep that in mind and always ask, why not Ryan?
Megan: Yes, yes, my parents weren’t so lucky, but why not Ryan? Third time lucky Patrik. Let’s hope and pray. So, okay, I will go and see them. See what gives, and I’ll spend the whole afternoon there. And I will email you or text you. Email you from there.
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Patrik: Okay, wonderful.
Megan: Lovely, wonderful. Thank you Patrik so much.
Patrik: Nice to talk to you.
Megan: And to you.
Patrik: So, take the next steps.
Megan: Yes, and I’ll be in touch. Thank you so much.
Patrik: All the best. Thank you. Bye bye.
Megan: Thank you Patrik, Bye bye.
Patrik: Thank you. Bye.
Megan: Bye bye.
Receptionist ICU: Good afternoon, ICU. How can I help?
Patrik: Good afternoon. My name is Patrik. How are you?
Receptionist ICU: I’m good, thank you. How are you?
Patrik: Very good, thank you. I’m just trying to get an update on Ryan, please.
Receptionist ICU: And Patrik, can I just ask what’s your relationship with Ryan?
Patrik: Yes, yes. I’m his cousin’s husband and Megan, I’ve been talking to Megan for quite some time and she identified me with a password, even. The password is 1234
Receptionist ICU: Okay. I will transfer you to the in charge and she will be able to give you all the feedback.
Patrik: Thank you so much.
Receptionist ICU: Thank you.
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Nurse Kim: Hello.
Patrik: Hi. Hello?
Nurse Kim: Hello.
Patrik: Hello.
Nurse Kim: Yes, hello. Good afternoon.
Patrik: Good afternoon. My name is Patrik. How are you?
Nurse Kim: I’m okay, thank you.
Patrik: Are you-
Nurse Kim: I was looking after Ryan.
Patrik: Oh, right. Right. I just wanted to get an update on Ryan. Megan was telling me he might go to the ward this afternoon, is that right?
Nurse Kim: Yeah, but not for sure.
Patrik: Right.
Nurse Kim: If not today, but might be tomorrow. May I know who is this, please?
Patrik: Yes. Yes, of course.
Nurse Kim: Can I get your name?
Patrik: Yes. My name is Patrik. I’m actually Ryan’s cousin’s husband, so I’ve been talking to Megan quite regularly and she’s also given you a password, which is 1234.
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Nurse Kim: Well, sorry about that. It was my first time to look after Ryan yesterday. It was just my second day.
Patrik: I see.
Nurse Kim: It wasn’t passed onto me about the password, so I’m afraid … Yeah, I’m not aware of it. Although I’ve spoken with Megan earlier, so yes. I’m just confirming what you said because yeah. We’ve spoken this morning and … Yeah, let’s just say yes.
The 1:1 consulting session will continue in next week’s episode.
Kind Regards
