Latest news with #emergencyroom
Yahoo
3 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Nurse Suddenly Lost Her Sight While Treating Patients. Then Came an Unexpected Diagnosis (Exclusive)
While working in the ER, Breanna T. suddenly lost her vision and kept treating patients as her sight deteriorated She was told it wasn't emergent, but days later, a specialist diagnosed her with acute angle closure glaucoma Breanna's vision has returned, but her story, and viral TikTok, have sparked wider conversations about advocacy and medication side effectsOne moment, Breanna T. was helping patients during a routine emergency room shift, and the next, the world around her was a blur. The ER nurse had no warning before her vision disappeared in both eyes, kicking off a frightening medical mystery that would later go viral on TikTok. In the video, Breanna reenacts what unfolded in those first 48 hours with a pointed 'put a finger down' challenge, recounting how she finished her shift while barely able to see, and the journey that followed before she received a diagnosis. 'I looked up to see who was calling my name, and I couldn't see her at all,' Breanna tells PEOPLE, describing the moment everything changed. 'It was just very shocking to me, because literally 10 seconds before that, I was seeing just fine.' She had just stepped out of a patient's room to assist a fellow nurse when the sudden loss of sight occurred. As panic swelled beneath the surface, her clinical instincts kicked in. 'I cleaned my glasses, I took my blood pressure, I took my blood sugar … I was just trying to go through everything I could think of to fix it,' she says. 'I was also at work, still responsible for helping care for patients, so I was doing my best to keep my composure.' Rather than alerting her team right away, Breanna first tried to troubleshoot the situation herself. She didn't want to raise the alarm until she had ruled out the basics. 'I was like, 'Here's the situation … do you guys have any ideas? Because I've already done everything I can think of,' ' she recalls telling her coworkers and several doctors. 'So then we started spitballing, trying to figure out what else we could test.' She had been trained to recognize red flags for emergencies and was deeply concerned about the possibility of a stroke. But her symptoms weren't fitting into any box. 'Loss of vision is a pretty standard stroke symptom,' she explains. 'But because it was both eyes at the same time and I had no other symptoms, I tried to stay levelheaded.' Her coworkers asked all the right questions, but nothing beyond her vision seemed to be affected. 'People were asking, 'Do you have a headache? Are you nauseous?' But literally, it was just my vision change,' she says. 'So I was honestly at a loss, because this didn't look like the heart attacks, strokes or brain bleeds I've seen before.' After confirming there were no immediate life-threatening causes, the ER team told her to follow up outpatient. As a nurse, Breanna understood why, but as a patient, it felt unsettling. 'I tell patients this all the time, and being on the other side of it was eye-opening,' she says. 'It wasn't life-threatening, but it was still scary not knowing what was going to happen next.' After her shift, she tried to book an urgent appointment with her optometrist, but found herself stuck. She couldn't even get far enough into a conversation to explain why she needed care. 'They'd say, 'We don't have openings,' before I could tell them I was having an emergent vision change,' she says. 'I felt stuck between a rock and a hard place.' With emergency services having done all they could, and no specialist available, she was left waiting and hoping. Her boyfriend began calling providers on her behalf, trying to get her seen. 'It was just really frustrating,' she says. 'I felt like I was being stopped before I was even able to tell anybody why I needed an immediate visit.' In total, Breanna spent five days with severely compromised vision. On the first day, she received contacts that somewhat helped, but even those came with side effects. 'They weren't perfect, and they gave me more headaches than not being able to see,' she says. 'So I was only wearing them when I absolutely had to.' When she finally got an appointment with an optometrist, she decided to go alone. She had no idea just how serious the visit would become. 'He stayed really calm, but started asking questions that felt odd,' she says. 'Then he told me my eye scans didn't look normal. My pressures were way above average, and he could see swelling.' The diagnosis was acute angle closure glaucoma, a rare condition that can come on rapidly and without warning. The optometrist told her she needed to see a specialist immediately or head straight to a hospital with ophthalmology on call. 'It was 4:30 p.m. on a Friday,' Breanna says. 'I was scared I'd have to go back to the ER and start all over again.' Though her boyfriend and mom rushed to be with her, Breanna had faced the alarming news alone. And in that moment, her thoughts went straight to her son. 'I'm a mom. I have a toddler,' she says. 'All I could think was, 'Am I going to be able to see my son grow up?' ' The disease typically takes years to develop, but Breanna had deteriorated within hours. Doctors were optimistic her case would be reversible, but the wait was excruciating. 'I wasn't ready to stop my medication, but that's what ended up solving it,' she says. 'I stopped taking it that day, and by the time it was out of my system, my vision returned.' Her care team believes the antidepressant triggered the event, likely due to an underlying condition. And for Breanna, the timeline made sense. 'The half-life of the medication lined up with when my vision came back,' she says. 'They're almost 99% sure it was [that].' Breanna hadn't been familiar with her diagnosis before that day. Glaucoma wasn't something she had seen often in the ER, especially not in this form. 'The patients I've cared for had long-term glaucoma, with black spots or floaters — not blurry vision like I had,' she says. 'Even the symptoms didn't line up.' At one point, she was even questioned about exposure to rare diseases due to her line of work. Ebola, measles and Lyme disease were all floated. 'I said no, and I still stand by no,' she says. 'But contact tracing takes weeks, so it's still something we may have to revisit.' Still, because her symptoms cleared after stopping the medication, her team now leans heavily toward that explanation. And they found something else along the way. 'I have an enlarged optic nerve on my left side, which predisposes me to glaucoma,' she says. 'That may be why it happened to me and not someone else.' Breanna will now have yearly checkups to monitor her eye health. The goal is early detection should anything change in the future. 'It was an incidental finding, but a good one,' she says. 'Even though my symptoms have resolved, I'm still at risk for developing another type of glaucoma later on.' Returning to work felt emotional and empowering. It reminded her why she became a nurse in the first place. 'I was just grateful to still be able to do my job,' she says. 'I didn't want to lose my career, and I didn't want to lose my motherhood.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. As for advice for others, Breanna wants people navigating confusing health issues to keep advocating for themselves, even when the answers are slow. It only takes one person to listen. 'You're your biggest advocate,' Breanna says. 'You're the only one who can really explain what's going on in your body.' She also acknowledges how often women are dismissed in medical spaces. And though she works in healthcare, she felt it herself. 'Being a woman makes it harder as they're quicker to brush you off,' she says. 'You just have to keep fighting until you find someone who takes you seriously.' Looking back, she wishes more people understood the emotional toll of being caught between not fitting a diagnosis and not getting answers. Her case didn't follow a pattern, which left even doctors unsure where to start. 'If you don't meet the classic symptoms, people don't know where to begin,' she says. 'That doesn't mean you're not sick.' Her TikTok has sparked wide conversation but she never meant to scare anyone. She just wanted to tell the truth. 'I wasn't making that video to tell people to stop their meds,' she says. 'If you're afraid of side effects, that's okay … just talk to your doctor first.' Read the original article on People
Yahoo
7 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors, Nurses, And EMTs, Tell Us Your Most Unhinged Patient Stories
A lot of things happen in hospitals — some heartbreaking, some heartwarming. But every so often, a patient comes in and says or does something so bizarre, so wildly unfiltered, you just have to laugh. So, if you're a doctor, nurse, EMT, or medical professional, tell us: What's the most absurd, hilarious, or straight-up unhinged thing you've witnessed on the job? Related: Choose Between These Cakes And I'll Guess Which Season You Were Born In! Perhaps you had a woman come into the ER with a full-body rash. Interestingly, her skin was also covered She was absolutely convinced she was having a rare, life-threatening allergic reaction. Turns out she had lathered herself in glitter body lotion from 2002. Related: I Am VERY Confident That I Can Guess Your Relationship Status Based On Your Favorite Songs From The Early 2000s Maybe you had a middle-aged guy who was in the hospital long-term after a serious accident. He needed multiple surgeries and a long road of rehab. The problem was, his surgeries kept having to be rescheduled MULTIPLE times because he could not for the life of him follow the instructions of fasting the night before. One morning, around 6 a.m., right before anesthesia, you noticed he Turns out, he had a half-eaten slice of pizza hidden in his hospital bed "for emergencies." When you asked what kind of emergency, he said, "Hunger, obviously." Or, perhaps, you were taking care of a 5-year-old boy who needed to get shots in his arm, but he wouldn't sit still, so you requested his mom to help hold him. While you were both holding him, he kept yelling, "Help!" "Help!" and then he escalated, screaming at the top of his lungs, "HELPPPP! POLICE! POLICE!" A police officer was actually on the floor for an unrelated reason, and you had to calmly explain to him it was not a hostage situation but a simple vaccination. So, if you've had a memorable patient experience ranging from hilarious to unhinged, please do share. You can let us know in the comments or at this anonymous form. Also in Community: I'm Sorry, But Every American Should Be Able To Pass This Basic-Level US States Quiz Also in Community: Your Taste Buds Will Totally Expose What Personality Type You Have Also in Community: Make A Disney Playlist And We'll Guess Your True Age
Yahoo
10 hours ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Doctors, Nurses, And EMTs, Tell Us Your Most Unhinged Patient Stories
A lot of things happen in hospitals — some heartbreaking, some heartwarming. But every so often, a patient comes in and says or does something so bizarre, so wildly unfiltered, you just have to laugh. So, if you're a doctor, nurse, EMT, or medical professional, tell us: What's the most absurd, hilarious, or straight-up unhinged thing you've witnessed on the job? Related: Choose Between These Cakes And I'll Guess Which Season You Were Born In! Perhaps you had a woman come into the ER with a full-body rash. Interestingly, her skin was also covered She was absolutely convinced she was having a rare, life-threatening allergic reaction. Turns out she had lathered herself in glitter body lotion from 2002. Related: I Am VERY Confident That I Can Guess Your Relationship Status Based On Your Favorite Songs From The Early 2000s Maybe you had a middle-aged guy who was in the hospital long-term after a serious accident. He needed multiple surgeries and a long road of rehab. The problem was, his surgeries kept having to be rescheduled MULTIPLE times because he could not for the life of him follow the instructions of fasting the night before. One morning, around 6 a.m., right before anesthesia, you noticed he Turns out, he had a half-eaten slice of pizza hidden in his hospital bed "for emergencies." When you asked what kind of emergency, he said, "Hunger, obviously." Or, perhaps, you were taking care of a 5-year-old boy who needed to get shots in his arm, but he wouldn't sit still, so you requested his mom to help hold him. While you were both holding him, he kept yelling, "Help!" "Help!" and then he escalated, screaming at the top of his lungs, "HELPPPP! POLICE! POLICE!" A police officer was actually on the floor for an unrelated reason, and you had to calmly explain to him it was not a hostage situation but a simple vaccination. So, if you've had a memorable patient experience ranging from hilarious to unhinged, please do share. You can let us know in the comments or at this anonymous form. Also in Community: I'm Sorry, But Every American Should Be Able To Pass This Basic-Level US States Quiz Also in Community: Your Taste Buds Will Totally Expose What Personality Type You Have Also in Community: Make A Disney Playlist And We'll Guess Your True Age
CBC
2 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Extreme heat led to 42 emergency room visits in Toronto, public health agency says
The heat event that gripped the city from Sunday to Tuesday is being blamed for 42 trips to emergency rooms at local hospitals, Toronto Public Health says. In a statement on Wednesday, the public health agency said the number of heat-related ER visits was not surprising. TPH said the number is "consistent with the known health risks associated with prolonged exposure to high temperatures, particularly for vulnerable populations such as infants, older adults, individuals with pre-existing health conditions, those experiencing homelessness, and outdoor workers." The public health agency is reminding residents to take steps to prevent heat-related illnesses. "We continue to remind residents to take precautions during hot weather, including staying hydrated, seeking out air-conditioned spaces, checking in on others, and seeking emergency care when needed," TPH said. Elevator rescues, medical responses, vehicle extractions Toronto Fire Services said it saw an increase in emergency calls of up to 44 per cent for service during the extreme heat. "Everything from elevator rescues to emergency medical responses to fires, to vehicle extrications and water rescues — it has been an extremely busy three days," Toronto Fire Chief Jim Jessop said Wednesday. Jessop said a heat event puts pressure on the city's emergency response system but front-line responders are always prepared to help those in need. "We plan for whether it's plus 45 with the humidex or it's minus 45 in January," Jessop said. "We've got very experienced and seasoned individuals both in our comm centre and certainly on our front lines. But we absolutely have plans for all the extremes because we know at the end of the day, we are the last line of defence for the citizens." Dr. Samantha Green, a family physician at Unity Health Toronto who specializes in heat and health, said the heat exacerbates chronic conditions and can trigger heart attacks and worsen underlying asthma and diabetes. "When we're exposed to this extreme heat, especially for several days in a row, especially when the temperature doesn't drop at night, there is the risk of heat-related illness, so heat exhaustion and heat stroke, especially among those with chronic medical conditions and the elderly." Green said all levels of government need to ensure people stay safe during heat events. "We really need to be better prepared at the individual level, but really at all levels of government, because it shouldn't be a surprise that in the summer it's hot and it's getting hotter."
CBC
3 days ago
- Health
- CBC
Machete attack, dislocated jaw: Nurses detail violent incidents at Fraser Health hospital
Two nurses are speaking out about violent incidents they experienced while working in the emergency department at Eagle Ridge Hospital (ERH) in Port Moody, B.C. — saying the Fraser Health Authority (FHA) has failed to provide a safe working environment, and has sought to silence employees who speak out. Veteran nurse Arden Foley says she is not returning to work because of lingering post traumatic stress from an attack by a patient. Victoria Treacy, says she was suspended and placed under investigation by Fraser Health after she spoke out about a patient who threatened her colleagues with a machete. The health authority said Treacy, who currently works at the hospital as a casual FHA employee, wasn't suspended or put under investigation. However, the women's stories are two of many included in a lawsuit filed against the health authority in the B.C. Supreme Court in Vancouver on June 6. Nurses speak out against violence, machete attack at Fraser Health ERs 7 hours ago Duration 3:09 In the lawsuit, emergency physician Kaitlin Stockton alleges that her job was threatened by the authority after she tried to warn patients about lengthy delays in the ER. It also alleges that deteriorating work conditions in emergency rooms have led to preventable deaths, and describes a slew of violent incidents against employees. In one instance, a nurse was allegedly strangled by a patient, and after eight weeks off work, suffered four broken ribs from a separate attack. In another, a physician allegedly suffered injuries after being attacked by a pit bull in the ER. "These events are so common that they are normalized and are rarely if ever acknowledged by FHA management and leadership," the lawsuit alleges. Fraser Health told CBC News it does not comment on matters that are before the courts. When CBC News asked about violent incidents, the authority responded with a statement. "We are deeply concerned about the violent incidents that occurred at Eagle Ridge Hospital in November 2024 and January 2025 and the impact it had on staff and medical staff," the authoritysaid in the statement. "In March 2025, we increased security staffing in the Emergency Department at Eagle Ridge Hospital in direct response to recent violent incidents. We also strengthened training for site security and increased on-the-floor coaching to ensure staff are fully prepared to respond effectively." Speaking out after attack Treacy, 37, was working a night shift in ERH's emergency department in January 2025 when a man threatened staff by yelling and wielding a large machete. Treacy said she called security and assisted her colleagues in evacuating patients from the area. She then spoke to several media outlets, saying the incident led her to fear for her own safety and that of her colleagues and patients. She said the same standard of security should be in place at ERH as there is at larger hospitals in the region. A few days later, Treacy says she was contacted by the travel nurse agency that contracts her to Fraser Health. According to the lawsuit, she was told the health authority was asking her not to come in for her next scheduled shift because she was being placed under investigation. The lawsuit states "after FHA failed to take action or implement changes following the January 14th, 2025 machete incident, the nurse who had been threatened by the patient went public to advocate for better security measures at ERH. In response, FHA initiated an investigation into the nurse and suspended her during the process." In a statement, Fraser Health said it "did not suspend the agency nurse involved, nor did we initiate an investigation into their conduct." "We recognize that this was a traumatic and distressing event for everyone involved and understand that health-care workers often face highly challenging situations." But Treacy said in an interview with CBC, that her understanding was that she was being fired. "I [spent] an entire weekend thinking my job and my career were jeopardized," she said. "To speak out about safety and my personal experience and to be told not to go back to work was extremely devastating and extremely worrying." Treacy said because she was a travel nurse under contract at the time, she never signed documentation preventing her from speaking to journalists. "My main message with those interviews was to ask for help and say these are the things that are actually happening," she said. "I just never thought that asking for help and asking for safety in our workplace would potentially impact me." The incident is listed in the lawsuit against Fraser Health as one example of "a psychologically unsafe and toxic workplace, where staff fear speaking out or advocating for themselves and patients due to a culture of retaliation against those who do." Jaw dislocated, PTSD Foley has worked as a nurse for 46 years, in a career that took her from the operating room to the emergency ward. Foley said she is speaking out now because she no longer works at the health authority. She said that on Nov. 20, 2024, she was on shift at ERH when she was badly injured by a patient who had suffered an overdose. Foley said she was in the process of unhooking them from a machine in order to discharge them, when they suddenly and violently kicked her in the head. The force of the kick allegedly slammed her against a wall. According to the lawsuit "the assault left the nurse with a jaw dislocation, a concussion, and PTSD. This nurse has not been able to return to work." Foley filed a claim with WorkSafeBC, pressed charges against the patient and quit her job. "It took me weeks just to not think of him and the incident. I felt very angry at the time. I didn't feel that I had done anything wrong and yet I was still blaming myself, thinking maybe I could have done things different," she said. "I've never experienced an assault or violence or aggression as I did that day." In a statement, the health authority said "a Fraser Health manager reached out to the nurse on November 21 to offer their support and communicate the supports and resources that are available through Fraser Health for employees who have experienced violence in the workplace." Foley accessed counselling to help with the symptoms of her post-traumatic stress, but ultimately decided not to return to nursing after speaking with her colleagues. "Everyone I talked to there was telling me how the situation had deteriorated — the working conditions, the increased workload, and instances of aggressive, abusive behaviour toward our staff and other patients," she said. "Losing my identity as a nurse was what this incident has cost me — I lost my identity with my career, and now it's over." The B.C. Nurses' Union (BCNU) said the number of violent incidents that force their members to take time off work has been on the rise. According to the union's website, they represent about 50,000 nurses. BCNU said the number of claims for nursing staff — including licensed practical nurses, registered nurses, registered psychiatric nurses and nursing coordinators and supervisors — climbed 48 per cent from about 29 a month in 2016 to about 43 a month in 2024. "None of us were ever expecting that this type of violence would occur in our careers. It has escalated dramatically even since I became a nurse and unfortunately we do need better safety measures," Treacy said.
