Everyone knows that our teams spend their days saving people’s lives – it’s what we do.
But, for Scunthorpe OPAT nurses Danni Parkin and Jess Bratton, who care for patients who still require hospital care but can receive it in their own homes – this last time was a little different.
Although Anne Millet wasn’t due for a home visit that day, when Danni and Jess called her, she complained she was feeling weak and dizzy, so they thought they’d pop round and see if she was okay.
And it’s lucky they did, as gas had been leaking into the property and both Anne and her husband were suffering with carbon monoxide poisoning.
Danni said: “When we arrived, I could smell gas, and I found myself struggling to breathe and my eyes and nose were stinging.
“We evacuated the house, called the emergency gas number, opened the windows and doors and shut off the gas.
“I couldn’t get any internet signal on my phone, so our colleague Yasmin was looking up the phone numbers for us back at the hospital.
“Then we arranged for the patient and her husband to be taken to our Emergency Department, where it was confirmed, they had carbon monoxide poisoning, so we also arranged a kennel for their dog.
“When the gas engineer came, he said it was the highest concentration of carbon monoxide he had seen in his career – and that was after we had had the doors and windows open.”
After making sure everyone was safe, Jess and Danni also had symptoms of carbon monoxide poisoning but were given the all clear by the Emergency Department team.
Everyone, including the dog, are now fighting fit and we have also made a referral to Humberside Fire and Rescue Service for a carbon monoxide detector to be fitted in the property.
Anne said: “I really can’t thank them enough. They genuinely saved all our lives – who knows what would have happened if they hadn’t have come to see me.”
OPAT matron, Garry Cowling, said: “Danni and Jess handled a very challenging and potentially dangerous situation exceptionally well. Their quick thinking, teamwork, and attention to the patient’s welfare were clearly critical in ensuring a safe outcome for everyone involved.”