“I had two options. And one wasn’t really an option.”
That’s how Chris Bultsma, Pharm.D., a pharmacist at The Nebraska Medical Center, describes what happened on the afternoon of Sept. 20 as he and fellow pharmacist Kristin Daniel, Pharm.D., headed to campus for a meeting
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Chris Bultsma, Pharm.D., left, an analyst on the One Chart project, came upon Steve Brown, UNMC budget analyst, after Brown had suffered a heart attack while jogging near Saddle Creek Road. Dr. Bultsma performed CPR on Brown until paramedics arrived on the scene. Dr. Bultsma’s quick action helped save Brown’s life. |
Steve Brown, a long time UNMC budget analyst, was out for his regular lunchtime jog with a friend when he had a heart attack and collapsed on the sidewalk just as Drs. Bultsma and Daniel drove past.
Dr. Bultsma pulled his car over behind the Durham Research Center towers and ran down the hill to the intersection of Saddle Creek Road and Emile Street where Brown had collapsed.
Training comes back
Dr. Bultsma arrived and quickly fell back on his training and background. Though he currently is an analyst on the One Chart project, he spent the majority of his 13 years at the medical center as a critical care pharmacist in the intensive care units and emergency department.
“I checked his pulse on his arm and it faded. I checked again on his neck and felt nothing,” Dr. Bultsma said. He immediately started chest compressions.
Brown’s friend had run to a nearby bank to call 911. Minutes later, paramedics arrived. They shocked Brown with a defibrillator at least five times as they prepared for the short drive to the emergency department.
Saying thanks
Several days later, Brown’s condition had stabilized. The smile on his face was a sharp contrast to the big bump on his head; a result of the fall on the sidewalk.
“You’re my guy! You’re my hero,” he said as Bultsma entered his room in the cardiac progressive care unit for the first time.
“It was the only thing I could do,” Dr. Bultsma said.
“Well,” Brown said, “because of you, I’m still here.”
Importance of CPR
Brown required bypass surgery in the days that followed his heart attack. He also will need a pacemaker. But a few days after his heart attack, he already talked of returning to work at UNMC.
The case demonstrates why learning CPR is important for everyone, Dr. Bultsma said.
“I’ve seen several ‘codes’ before in the controlled environment of the hospital. And they often do not end well,” Dr. Bultsma said. “To see him doing well after such a serious event in an uncontrolled environment is great.”
September 19 was National Gratitude Day. We're sure grateful for Dr. Bultsma's quick action that day and Steve's continuing recovery.
Steve, I'm so sorry to hear that you had a heart attack. Get well soon, we need you!
Steve, I am so sorry to hear of this incident, but it brings a warm touch that we are so blessed to still have you with us on campus.
Dr. Bultsma, I am even more blessed that we have an individual as caring and trained as you. Thank you for being an outstanding citizen and physician on our campus!
K~
Wishing you a speedy recovery, Steve!
What an awesome outcome! I am the AHA Training Coordinator here at UNMC as well as a paramedic for North Bend Fire, minutes do matter in a sudden cardiac event such as what Steve experienced. Anyone who has been thinking of learning let us know. This story just shows how important it is to know what to do. Speeding recovery to you, Steve and kudos to Dr.Bultsma, the prehospital providers & clinicians who worked together as a team to turn this around into such a positive outcome!!!
Steve, best of luck in your recovery! Thanks to Dr. Bultsma. Good thing Steve you had that Custer County living in your genes to have a speedy recovery!
I second all of the comments above. Get well soon, Steve… I know you are too tough to let this keep you down for long!
Greg Karst
One more reason to realize that CPR is really a basic life saving skill that we should all know, What a great outcome and to see that Dr. Bultsma said "it was teh only thing I could do", really shows character and commitment. Karen Anderson
Steve, thinking of you and wishing you the best. I am so happy we had quick thinking, competent health providers near you.
Mary
Dr. Chris Bultsma is an amazing pharmacist, and member of our One Chart team and I am so proud to know him.
You are a hero Chris…and a godsend to the man you saved!👍