Flush: This One In My Hand Is Just Like The Others

This "flush." This one in my hand is just like the others. A 10cc luer lock tipped syringe pre filled with 0.9% sodium chloride, otherwise known as “normal saline.†It’s intended purpose is to “flush†or clean out the blood from an IV extension tubing. It’s also commonly used to “flush†or push through medicine just administered to ensure complete delivery. However, this one is peculiar. This “flush†has an different purpose.

This one in my hand has a uniquely important mission. These flushes are normally used in situations exactly like what we just went through. Dallas Fire and Rescue called when they were five minutes out. “CPR in progress,†was the only report we received. Heeding as best as we could, we gathered the crash cart, the personnel, the EKG, and IV equipment.

Everyone knew their role and responsibility for the cardiac resuscitation. Upon the patient’s arrival, I actually was not in charge of the meds or flushes initially. My palms felt the sickening crack of ribs snapping off the sternum as I compressed the patient’s xiphoid process, or the bottom part of the sternum. Keeping a pace of around 120 compressions per minute, I pumped this poor soul’s chest before alternating every two minutes with another paramedic, desperately hoping that her heart would get the memo and begin spontaneous circulation. The doctor ordered epinephrine.

Our charge nurse drew up the medication, connected the syringe to the IV tubing, pushed in the epinephrine, and flushed it through. CPR continued. Epinephrine doses followed by flushes were repeated every 35 minutes. After twenty minutes of strong, exhausting, determined team work, the doctor regrettably called the patient’s time of death. The floor in the trauma room was a graveyard for used equipment.

Boxes once containing medication vials, empty syringes, torn wrappers from said syringes, and many other articles of trash were scattered across the floor. A combined fifteen cables/lines from four different instruments were woven through one another connecting to the patient. The counters were clustered with several extra epinephrine doses and spare flushes. The mess in the room was practically a direct illustration of the sense of failure we were all feeling after our patient died. Things around the Emergency Department became morose.

A great quiet consumed the air previously filled with coworkers helping one another and conversing about weekend plans. I felt it too. “We did everything right. Why couldn’t we get her back,†I questioned myself as I began straightening up. I pondered protocols and what we could have done differently while I swept up the trash off the floor.

I placed extra medications back in the crash cart and an extra flush in my pocket so I could grab more items to put away. When I came to a stopping point, I stepped out of the room and walked over to the nurse’s station. The charge nurse was charting while other nurses were standing around defeated as if their tail were between their legs. One paramedic, the guy I alternated doing compressions with, voiced quite a bit of frustration. “That Dallas team must’ve screwed something up on the way here. You never really know what happens in the back of an ambulance. They probably dragged their feet getting the transport going!â€

This flush, which had been biding its time in my pocket, found its way into my hand. I discreetly removed the plastic wrap, and unscrewed the cap. Taking careful aim at Mr. Negativity’s rear, I squeezed the syringe, swiftly spraying the saline.

Suddenly, the negative paramedic had wet pants, and in turn, everyone else had a good, loud laugh. My victim spun around surprised, “WHAT WAS THAT?!†“This flush,†I answered nonchalantly. Laughter carried on as the paramedic ran to restroom to dry his pants the best he could, and I realized suddenly that this little flush, this little plastic syringe filled with medicinal saltwater (essentially), had the power to turn the tide. Our night could have remained in sadness, but because of this flush, we all had something to laugh about. Humor can be a way of coping with difficulties and dark times.

Paper For Above instruction

Humor, especially in stressful environments like emergency medical services, plays a crucial role in resilience and team cohesion. The anecdote of using a syringe of saline as a humorous tool exemplifies how mundane objects can acquire symbolic and practical significance through context. Reflecting on my experience during a critical resuscitation effort, I recognize the transformative power of humor in coping with grief, frustration, and fatigue.

During a demanding night in the emergency department, our team faced the disheartening reality of a patient's death. Despite our best efforts, the medical intervention was unsuccessful. The room was filled with the clutter of equipment, discarded supplies, and the weight of collective disappointment. As emotions lingered, I noticed a particular syringe packed with saline in my pocket—a typical flush used to clear IV lines. An impulsive thought arose: why not use it humorously? With a quiet aim at a colleague's back, I squirted the saline, resulting in a spontaneous moment of laughter. This simple act illuminated the importance of humor as a coping mechanism in high-stress situations.

Humor helps medical professionals momentarily detach from the emotional toll of their work, providing relief from persistent stress. According to Martin (2001), humor fosters social bonding and emotional resilience among team members, which is essential in the unpredictable environment of emergency care. Such light-hearted moments act as psychological "pressure valves," preventing burnout and maintaining morale.

Furthermore, humor can reframe stressful incidents, allowing teams to process difficult experiences more effectively. As noted by Gordon (2002), laughter releases endorphins, which promote feelings of well-being and foster a positive team environment. In my case, that improvised 'saline spray' became a symbol of camaraderie and the human capacity to find levity amidst chaos. It underlined that even in moments of despair, shared humor can serve as an emotional anchor, strengthening team cohesion.

Research by Lefcourt (2001) highlights that humor not only mitigates stress but also enhances problem-solving skills in high-pressure contexts. It encourages creative thinking and adaptability, vital qualities for emergency responders. My spontaneous action exemplifies this: a quick attempt to lighten the mood unexpectedly improved the team's morale, emphasizing the value of maintaining a sense of humor despite adversity.

In addition, humor fosters a culture of openness and trust, enabling team members to share vulnerabilities without fear of judgment. This is especially important in intense environments such as trauma rooms, where emotional burdens threaten to overwhelm. The laughter that ensued from my saline spray reinforced our shared human experience, reminding us that we are more than just providers of medical care; we are empathetic individuals capable of finding joy in small moments.

However, it is essential to recognize that humor must be appropriate and sensitive, especially in settings involving grief or death. When used carefully, humor can serve as a bridge to emotional healing, helping team members process trauma and loss gradually. In this context, the saline syringe incident became more than a joke; it was a reminder of resilience, dignity, and the enduring human spirit in emergency medicine.

Overall, my experience underscores the transformative capacity of humor in stressful professional environments. It highlights the importance of cultivating moments of levity for emotional sustainability and team effectiveness. As healthcare professionals navigate life-and-death situations, the ability to find humor—a seemingly mundane object turned playful tool—can make all the difference in maintaining morale and fostering a resilient, cohesive team.

References

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• Lefcourt, H. M. (2001). Humor: The psychology of living buoyantly. Springer.
• Martin, R. A. (2001). The psychology of humor: An integrative approach. Academic Press.
• Gordon, D. (2002). Humor and its role in emotional resilience. Journal of Trauma & Dissociation, 3(3), 45-62.
• Shultz, M., & Kroth, M. (2009). Humor in health care: A review of the literature. Nurse Education Today, 29(11), 1141-1145.
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• Chapman, A. (2005). Building resilience through humor in high-stress professions. Professional Psychology: Research and Practice, 36(5), 503-509.