Note: This blog post is an account of my experience as a mock patient during Sherman’s Day in the Life event on November 12th. The trauma I went through and the circumstances that led to the trauma are entirely fictional. I was a mock patient to help Sherman’s staff and nurses become acclimated to the new hospital. The following is my account of the care I received.

The EMTs found me on I-90. I had been unbuckled at the time of the crash, making my situation a dire one. My friend was driving, and he drove the car straight into a tollbooth, which killed him instantly and left me with multiple traumas. The EMTs wrapped me in a cervical collar and placed me on a backboard, securing me to the board with tape wrapped around my forehead and my chin. I was rushed to the Emergency Area of Sherman’s new hospital, placed on a trauma stretcher and given immediate assistance.

The feeling in the trauma room was one of controlled chaos as the doctors and nurses around me accomplished their tasks knowing they had to act quickly. Within minutes of entering the hospital, I was placed on cardiac monitors, my initial vital signs were obtained, suction was readied and warm blankets were applied.

It was at this time that the Code T team arrived, bringing a new squad of experts along with two units of O-negative blood. With my cervical precautions still in place, the staff got to work and their primary assessment of my condition was quickly completed and x-rays were ordered.

After the x-rays were completed, my cervical precautions were removed. My spine was in good enough shape to warrant the removal of the cervical collar. But there was some bad news, as well. I was quickly losing blood, and the doctors weren’t sure why.

Click here for Part II of this story, where you’ll find how my traumatic day ended and why the police had to become involved.