Open Fracture During CPR

7 During a recent code, during the rhythm check, a small wound was noted on the patient's chest -- it appeared to be an open fracture. The MD said that the patient had had a sternotomy in the past and that the staples had probably abraded through the skin. Either way, it kind of freaked us out.

Has anybody else ever encountered this?

As compressions continued, the concern was for an exposure to the compressors; which risk was mitigated by placing a folded towel over the chest.

Another war story added to the collection.
unfortunately it happens, especially in cvicu

I remember a code on an infant several years ago where the compressor watched the child's skin separate right along her sternotomy scar. It freaked the nurse out and she still talks about it to this day. That was one we didn't win...

So Music, what was the outcome of your code?

Quote from NotReady4PrimeTimeI remember a code on an infant several years ago where the compressor watched the child's skin separate right along her sternotomy scar. It freaked the nurse out and she still talks about it to this day. That was one we didn't win...

Quote from EmergentSo Music, what was the outcome of your code?

Quote from ICURN3020That would be traumatizing to observe

Once when I was a float tech I watched a cardiac nurse use a fracture bedpan (the flat part to the patient) to give CPR on a post-op CABG that went into v-fib. Thankfully the patient still had the pacing wires in and a CVICU nurse came to the code with the machine to pace the patient with. Don't think they lived but the sternum didn't "crack"...I really don't know how effective the CPR could have been though but I don't blame the nurse for not wanting to wait too long before someone brought the pacing gadget! I'm guessing since the pacing wires were still in this is why they didn't try defibing with the code cart instead...

Yup and it prompted us to get a better mechanical compression device.

Quote from ♪♫ in my ♥Ultimately, the same as most.

Quote from catmom1Side question: I have always (mentally) translated the OP's name as "song in my heart," is that right? Or is it "music in my ?"

Quote from ♪♫ in my ♥In my mind, it is actually "music" although "song" works as well.When I first submitted the username, "music" is what I was thinking.

Damn.... that's hard core.