Nurse Saves Life at Falmouth Wedding
For the first time in her 39 years of nursing, Dorothy Pender, RN, recently was called on to put her CPR skills into action, saving a man’s life at a wedding in Falmouth. Pender, who has worked in the BWH Department of Obstetrics and Maternal Fetal Medicine for 25 years, was enjoying the reception at her friend’s wedding when a 62-year-old man collapsed on his way to the dance floor.
“I was watching the bride and father of the bride dancing, when over the microphone someone made an urgent call for any doctors or nurses present,” said Pender, who sprang into action immediately.
In minutes, she delegated someone to call 911 and was performing chest compressions on the unconscious man while another nurse did mouth-to-mouth breathing. Thankfully, the man began regaining color and showing other signs of life.
“I was frightened and shocked, but I just reacted like anyone would,” said Pender, who had completed her annual CPR recertification just five days before the wedding. “You do what you need to do in situations like this.”
The EMTs arrived minutes later and transported the patient to Falmouth Hospital, where he stabilized before being airlifted to BWH that night. After 10 days of care at BWH, he was sent to Braintree Rehabilitation Hospital.
“We are so proud of Dottie’s quick thinking,” said Maureen Fagan, MS, RNP, director of Ambulatory OB Programs. “We all had taken the CPR class the week before, and now we are witnessing the successful outcome of Dottie’s quick assessment and action.”
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