2B
University Daily Kansan / Friday, May 1, 1992
Storyand photos by Justin Knupp
(Above) Paramedics arrive with a patient. (Above right) Nurse Mayme Rogers and Thomas McCormick, physician, discuss treatment. (Below) McCormick walks to the emergency room.
Trauma teams fight against time, fatigue
The countdown begins when the ambulance reaches the emergency room door.
For the doctors and nurses who work in trauma centers, like the one at the University of Kansas Medical Center in Kansas City, Kan., it happens everyday.
"Many times, the first minute dictate whether a patient lives or dies," says veteran trauma nurse Mayme Rogers.
However, time is not the only foe trauma teams battle. Fatigue, boredom and burnout become problems after the teams work 12, 16 or 24-hour shifts.
"There are times when you will go 12 hours with nothing to do, and then within 15 minutes, there are serious cases waiting in line in the halls," Rogers says.
Twelve hours into one of Rogers' 16-hour shifts, an ambulance delivers a burn victim to Rogers and the waiting trauma team. Third-degree burns cover most of his body.
The trauma team goes to work
After 20 minutes with the trauma team, and more than two dozen examinations, the patient is headed for the burn unit upstairs.
"Often in serious cases the only thing you can do is stabilize the patient and move them to a specialty unit," Rogers says. "We're here to see that they make it upstairs alive and with a chance."
Rogers goes home after 16 hours of dealing with drunks, victims of fights and car wrecks, gang members and personal exhaustion.
"All in all, it was an easy shift,
Rogers says as she walks out the door.
(Right) Nurse Rogers relaxes after more than 15 straight hours on duty. (Above) The trauma team carefully examines a patient with third-degree burns.
SEE THE CLASSIFIEDS
ADVERTISING WORKS!
THE PRINCETON REVIEW
strategy for success
- Editorial Board
- Columnists
- Cartoonists
The Kansan is now accepting applications for
Pick up your application today! Kansan News Room,111 Stauffer-Flint. All students are encouraged to apply. Applications due 5 p.m. May 5th.
Asparagus (You pick it or we'll pick it for you.) Bedding Plants (Annuals, Perennials, Herbs) Rhubarb
Open Mon.-Sat.: 8am-6pm • Sun.: 1pm-6pm
843-1409
Now open!
Pendleton's
Country Market
Celebrate Cinco de Mayo
with
Pendleton's!
WANTED
CD'S RECORDS TAPES REWARD
$5.00 & down on CD'S
$2.00 & down on records & tapes
Ride on into Alley Cat Records and trade in those old tapes, records and CD'S. It's a great way to earn extra cash!
Check Out our NEW LOCATION! 717 Mass.865-0122
DON'T TRASH 'EM USE 'EM TO SAVE
CASH!
If the college bookstore doesn't want 'em we will give you
$2.00 OFF!
lany CASSETTE or COMPACT DISC regularly priced $7.99 and up
30% OFF!
Publishers suggested list price on ANY BOOK
For your non-refundable textbooks These textbooks will be donated to the local library
excludes Sale Items • One item per book redeemed
hastings We're Entertainment!!
2000 W.23rd St.- Southwest Plaza