minneapolis — The pandemic has taken a huge toll on healthcare workers. But now, another public health crisis is just as devastating.
Hennepin Healthcare in Minneapolis treated more than 1,500 gunshot victims last year alone. On average, there are 4 cases per day. Eighty-five percent of them are currently alive.
“All you see is a previously healthy young man in pain and suffering and fear,” said Dr. Jim Miner.
Dr. Ashley Bjorklund said, “There's not a kid who doesn't make the grade that doesn't affect you.”
“It can be devastating and heartbreaking,” Dr. Kofi Foss said.
“I feel like the general public has no idea how bad it is,” said nurse Daniela Morales.
“To me, this is an emergency public health crisis,” said nurse Evan Trewin.
These health care workers regularly see the costs of mass shootings.
When reporting someone who has been shot, use lights and sirens.
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“They're very quick. They're fast-paced and quick-acting,” said Angela, a paramedic with Hennepin Emergency Medical Services.
Hennepin EMS transports the victim to Hennepin Healthcare, the busiest Level 1 trauma center in the state.
“They have a team waiting for us. We can take over right away,” Angela said.
Care begins immediately through the main door in what is called the stabilization room or stabilization room. This is where doctors and nurses treat hundreds of patients with gunshot wounds.
“Most days, we see victims of gun violence whose injuries range from non-fatal, glaring wounds to multiple gunshot wounds to the head and chest. And it's a tragedy. It's preventable. It's the death and destruction of young, healthy people who don't need to die,” Miner, the emergency medicine director, said.
They work to stabilize the patient.
“If someone gets shot in the torso or head or even upper extremities, surgeons are on the scene from that moment on, we're trying to get IV access, trying to figure out what's going on and where they are. .I'm bleeding,'' Miner said.
“What does full speed feel like?” asked investigative reporter Jennifer Mayard.
“It's really, really fast. Our immediate vision is to have multiple people with many skills going as fast as possible and doing everything at the same time. Seconds make a big difference,” Miner said.
That's where trauma surgeons like Foss come in.
“Bullets are unique in that the wound and its cause can be very unexpected. High-impact gunshot wounds can be unpredictable,” Foss said.
He rushes the patient to the operating room.
“The operating room is where we do a significant part of our work. Our goal is really to see the injury. Stop the bleeding, stop the contamination. Ultimately, it's about saving lives. We want to save the world,” Foss said.
Trewyn, an emergency department nurse, is in the midst of ongoing trauma care.
“It's mind-boggling for people who don't usually see things like that. It's also mind-boggling for me, who's been watching it for the past 20 years, and I have to put it aside because I don't know what's going to happen next. '' Trewyn said.
He realized that his parenting changed when he needed to pause.
“If they come near my children, I have to move away. I know that the situation could turn around and I could end up in the same situation as them,” Trewyn said. said.
This is a stark reality of who is being affected within the community.
“There's something different about caring for children affected by firearms. The fact that I even have to make such a statement,” Bjorklund said.
Bjorklund is the medical director of the pediatric ICU.
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“Some of these children are on ventilators, but there are children who initially survive that we think will grow to the point where they need end-of-life care support. Yes, there are,” Bjorklund said.
It's a burden.
“We're trained to deal with this issue, but in pediatrics we're pretty intentional about taking the time to reflect on the care that's being provided and how it's impacting us.” I think we're doing exactly that,” Bjorklund said.
And how it will change the way we manage at work and at home.
“It's more stressful, right? You have to spend more emotional time recovering from the care you provide to your patients every day. And you lack a sense of safety for your own children. Before you go, text “Do you have a gun?” , are they stored properly? It’s a common text,” Bjöklund said.
Daniela Morales, a pediatric nurse, said she is creating stronger boundaries with family and friends.
“If there's any unnecessary stress or drama, I have to draw the line. I feel like I can't take it anymore,” Morales said.
This life-saving work is difficult.
“It's hard to see people get hurt so often, and it's hard to constantly process all the loss of life that is just senselessly destroyed,” Miner said.
“Sometimes you have to remember why you do what you do because you see this kind of violence every day,” Foss said.
Nowadays, there's always another call, asking for help with another patient with a gunshot wound, and asking for a paramedic.
“You can get frustrated with society, just the recklessness of what people can do to others. It affects everyone. If you don't deal with it in a healthy way, society eats away at you. , you won't be able to survive.'' There's nothing in this field,'' said Angela, a paramedic.
Hennepin Healthcare has what we call a Critical Incident Support Team. We provide immediate emotional support after a traumatic experience and drop-in support hours after a stressful event. In addition, meetings are held regularly in departments where more events occur, such as emergency departments and pediatric intensive care units.
