The story of the silent healthcare workers 'racing' against death.
There is a place where 24 hours a day is never silent, where life is not measured by time but by each breath, each fragile heartbeat teetering on the brink of life and death. That is behind the doors of the Emergency Department, where those in white coats are always ready, giving their all to fight for the lives of less fortunate patients.
Where time waits for no one
The Emergency Department of Cua Dong General Hospital is always crowded with patients. Here, there is no concept of rest, as many patients entering the department are in critical condition. Every time an ambulance siren arrives, a patient is rushed into the emergency room, and the entire medical team immediately takes their positions; the battle to save lives begins again.
Having worked in the Intensive Care Unit for over twenty years, Nguyen Thi Hoa, the head nurse, can't remember how many times she and her colleagues have been in a tense race against time to save patients' lives. She recalls the most recent case of a male patient in his 50s who was admitted in cardiac arrest due to a myocardial infarction; his face was cyanotic, his breathing was fading, and the heart monitor showed only a straight line.
Without a moment's hesitation, the entire team immediately took their positions, cherishing every precious moment to save the patient's life. Dr. Cuong, the Deputy Head of Department, directed the team: "Prepare for defibrillation! One, two, three… defibrillate!" The defibrillator's buzzing sound echoed, and the entire room held its breath in anticipation... Doctors Hiep and Kien took turns continuing chest compressions, while nurse Thach alternated using the Ambu bag, trying to preserve the last bit of oxygen for the patient's body. The second and third defibrillation attempts… Dr. Cuong's voice remained firm: "Continue! We can't stop yet!" Then, suddenly, the patient's weak heartbeat reappeared!
The entire team exchanged smiles, then continued to carry out the doctor's orders, administer medication, and monitor the patient's vital signs. The patient had officially crossed the line between life and death!
After moments of anxiety, the patient's family burst into tears of joy, grasping the doctor's hand and expressing their heartfelt gratitude to the team. For the healthcare workers in the Intensive Care Unit, this was the greatest reward and a powerful motivation that strengthened their resolve to persevere on this challenging path.
The shifts were not peaceful.
The fight to save a patient's life doesn't always go as planned. Ms. Hoa vividly remembers one night shift when a very young patient with severe respiratory failure was admitted. The doctor ordered immediate intubation. Another team focused on chest compressions. The entire team gave their all, but then fell silent... some battles end with victory not belonging to those in white coats.
They had to suppress those emotions, because outside that door, dozens of other patients were still waiting. The pressure on emergency room nurses comes not only from serious cases, but also from things that few people understand.
Head nurse Nguyen Thi Hoa recounted a night shift when a drunk patient was brought in with symptoms of digestive disorders. After examination and injections, he got up and left the ward on his own. She thought the shift would continue peacefully, but 18 hours later, a group of people stormed in, shouting and threatening the doctors and nurses. They didn't understand that the ward had to prioritize critically ill patients; some people only needed a second's delay to lose their chance of survival.
And one nurse in the department suffered a mental breakdown because she was subjected to emotional abuse by a patient's family, who vented their resentment on her simply because the doctors couldn't save a critically ill patient. These feelings, for the healthcare workers, can only be silently swallowed; few can share them, yet they continue their journey to fulfill their mission…
The road is not paved with roses.
"Every year, the Emergency Department still recruits dozens of nurses, but after each internship, very few choose this path," lamented Nguyen Thi Van, a former head nurse at the hospital. Being a resuscitation nurse is not just about saving patients' lives; it's also about witnessing deaths, facing disapproving glances, reproachful words, and silently shed tears.
Abroad, a nurse cares for one patient for 8 hours, but in Vietnam, they have to rotate between 5-6 patients, or even more. Work follows work, with no time for rest. It's no wonder young people choose a different path, because only those who truly love the profession can persevere!
"Dawn" behind the emergency room doors
Despite the hardships, worries, and unspoken pressures, there are simple joys that keep doctors, nurses, and emergency room staff here. These include the light in a patient's eyes upon waking from a coma, the trembling words of gratitude from an elderly person before discharge, and the firm handshakes that speak volumes...
There are unforgettable memories for the nurses performing this special duty. “I still remember Mrs. Ha – a patient who considered the Emergency Department her home. Last year, just before Tet (Lunar New Year), she was healthier than usual, holding my hand, her voice weak but full of warmth: 'Hoa, thank you and everyone, this winter I get to celebrate Tet with my children and grandchildren again.' But just two days later, she weakened and quietly passed away on the 29th day of Tet. Every time I witness someone's passing, my heart sinks, and amidst all the gains and losses, we learn to accept, to be strong and move forward,” Hoa shared.
Although they know that the journey of fulfilling the mission of reviving the lives of the less fortunate is a challenging path, these healthcare workers continue to walk it – because they have chosen to be the "keepers of the flame" for those with fragile lives!