Our patient with dementia, Maria*, needed hospitalization because of chest pain. During this pandemic, having chest pain isn’t something you set aside. Around nine o’clock in the morning, our patient’s daughter, Ana*, messaged me that Maria, complained of chest pain and her blood pressure was lower than usual. I informed Dr. Nanette via private message. Further assessment was done via Telemed and medication was digitally prescribed by Dr. Nanette and was sent to Ana. While waiting for the purchase of medicine, pain was increasingly persistent. I asked them about their plans and Ana decided that her mother be brought to the hospital. I gave them the local emergency number of Muntinlupa City that they could contact. Ana decided to bring Maria the nearest hospital.
11:28 AM: Ana requested that I call an ambulance service for them. Knowing that their mobile signal is weak inside their home, I accepted her request and called the DRRMO (Disaster Risk Reduction and Management Officer) using my landline. The lady who answered my request for ambulance assistance at our patient’s location said that they did not have any other ambulance available anymore. I thought of calling the Philippine Red Cross, since they have ambulances available. I asked Ana if it would be okay for them to use the Red Cross ambulance instead, and she said yes. The person they sent out to buy the medicine came back empty-handed, since the medicine needed was out of stock.
11:35 AM: I messaged the Philippine Red Cross Operation Center (OpCen) to ask if they had an available ambulance to respond as soon. The OpCen dispatch officer Sir Ariel, took the details of Maria and her chief complaint. He took Ana’s contact number to confirm my report. He reassured me that he would inform me once the ambulance had been dispatched from the designated chapter.
11:49 AM: I received a message from Sir Ariel saying that they were able to dispatch that needed ambulance.
After 1:00 PM: I got the news that nearest hospital’s Emergency Room did not have any available beds anymore. The reality of the pandemic kicked in. Dr. Ara tried contacting ER personnel on her end, but the ER seemed to really be busy that time. Our patient was still stuck in the ambulance. Maria’s blood pressure got lower. I tried to talk to one of the ER nurses, but they said that the only way they could take her in was when she needed to be revived. I understand triaging, but this seemed wrong.
I wasn’t aware that at the same time, the OpCen was also trying to find a hospital that would admit Maria. From Muntinlupa to Las Piñas, hospitals had been fully booked. I even tried coordinating with a volunteer, and admissions in her local hospital was also filled.
5:00 PM: Ana messaged me that they were brought to another hospital in that city, where diagnostic exams were finally done and Maria was finally seen by a doctor.
8:00 PM: Ana updated me that they had to settle the bill at the hospital. Their money was limited and the Senior Citizen discount was not enough. Our Social Worker, Ms. Laurice coordinated with her that evening.
The next day at 9:26 AM: This is the message I received from Ana.
"Good morning, Nurse Mitch. Update lang po. We got home na po kaninang mga 4 AM. Bale, mismong Red Cross na po yung tumulong, kasi sabi ko wala na talaga akong cash na maibabayad. Sila na po kumontact sa Barangay (for financial assistance)."
Good morning, Nurse Mitch. Just updating you that we arrived at home at 4 AM. Red Cross helped us since I told them that I really have no more cash to cover the hospital bills. They contacted the Barangay (for financial assistance).
This situation taught me a lot. My patience was tested when things did not go as I expected. But I continually find myself grateful for the people the Lord sent my way. From our TRF team to the Philippine Red Cross. I still thank God for the challenges and I know that He's with me all the time.
- Nurse Mitch
*Names and exact locations were changed to protect their identity.* (footnote)