Emergency room compassion: 'It’s not just because I’m a staff member. They’d do that for anybody’
Darcy Hearn joined Salem Health 18 years ago as a phlebotomist, working in the hospital emergency department for about half that time. She never imagined what it would be like to visit the ED with her son as a patient.
That all changed on September 13 with a head injury during Duncan’s junior varsity football practice.
“What began as a routine practice became a life-changing event for our family,” said Hearn. “They were in the gym doing exercises and my son ended up tripping and crashing into the gym wall. He went down and the coaches said it sounded like a gunshot going off.”
While Duncan didn’t lose consciousness, Hearn said that as soon as she arrived at the gym, it was clear her son needed to go to the hospital.
Visiting the emergency department as a patient
“It was tough because you walk into the hospital and everyone sees you and you get empathy and compassion from the people you’ve known,” she said. “I was pregnant with him when I worked in the emergency room. We used to have a hiking group with the ER staff and our kids.”
Hearn said she was grateful for the care of Jered Houck, MD, who immediately jumped into action when he learned Duncan had temporal bruising, indicating a brain bleed.
“They moved us very quickly,” said Hearn. “I told Duncan, there’s going to be a lot of people coming all at once. If you need anything I’m right here.”
During this time, Hearn said other members of the emergency department team provided comfort.
Comfort from staff
“I’m trying to be strong for my kid, so he doesn’t see that I’m scared,” she said. “ Shane Peterson, MD, walked by and gave me a hug and told me it was okay. It’s that compassion that they have, and it’s not just because I’m a staff member. They’d do that for anybody.”
Dr. Peterson said his approach is to treat everyone as if they are family.
“I work hard to make sure the person knows that I am here with them, working to help and that I will not let go,” he said. “Our job is to support, in whatever way a person needs, and to bring them comfort. Sometimes that comfort comes in the form of a medicine or a diagnosis, and sometimes it comes in the form of listening and appreciating.”
Hearn and her son were transported by ambulance to OHSU Doernbecher Children’s Hospital. Duncan was diagnosed with an occipital skull fracture, a subarachnoid hemorrhage, and a blood clot in his internal jugular vein. He was discharged about 36 hours later, and Hearn tracked his sleep and medicine at home.
The freshman is now back in school. Hearn said Duncan is using blue light glasses and noise-canceling headphones in the classroom. While encouraged by his progress, Hearn notes there is still a long recovery ahead.