Alison E Deaton
July 2023
Alison E
Deaton
,
RN, BSN
PACU
Novant Health Presbyterian Medical Center
Charlotte
,
NC
United States
His brother was there and called Ali an angel and said there was no way his brother would be here if it weren’t for Ali being at that park that day.
This is a story right out of a movie about how a regular person turns into a hero in just a few minutes. It all started with a friendly game of doubles tennis. Alison Deaton had been playing tennis with this guy for several years, and in the past, he had some issues with heat exhaustion. On that day in July, he recognized the same feeling and went to sit in the shade and ate a peach. He decided to leave shortly later and said he was having some heartburn after eating the peach but was going to go get some cool air.
Meanwhile, Ali continued to play tennis, thinking nothing was wrong until she heard someone yelling for help. Her friend was sitting on the ground when she approached, but he soon passed out. Ali called 911 and called for her husband to run for the AED.
What is amazing about this story is that 2 years ago, Ali had requested for the tennis park to get an AED since she noticed that they did not have one. The tennis community has a Memorial event for a tennis player who collapsed on the tennis court, and there wasn’t an AED at the park. Every year, they get together to raise awareness. Six months ago, she noticed that they had purchased an AED, and she texted her husband that it was located at the concession stand; she was so excited that they listened to her suggestion! So, when Ali yelled for her husband to get the AED, he knew exactly where to run for it.
While Ali was on the phone with 911, several others came to help, one a retired police officer and one a flight attendant, and they began CPR. When they placed the AED, it said, “shock advised”. They proceeded with the instructions, continuing CPR throughout. The paramedics came and took over the care, but all together, he was shocked four times at the tennis courts. He was rushed to Huntersville Medical Center, where he had a heart cath, and was transferred to Presbyterian Medical Center for further evaluation.
As a leader rounding, I had the pleasure of meeting him while he was getting ready to walk in the hallway. His brother was there and called Ali an angel and said there was no way his brother would be here if it weren’t for Ali being at that park that day.
The PACU is proud to call Ali our own. She has been in the PACU for 21.5 years. She had been instrumental in providing remarkable nursing care to thousands of Novant patients. Ali’s quick thinking and compassionate ways made her the perfect person to be there to help that day. She is the epitome of a strong, confident, dedicated nurse who was able to take her experience and use it to change the life of another person.
Meanwhile, Ali continued to play tennis, thinking nothing was wrong until she heard someone yelling for help. Her friend was sitting on the ground when she approached, but he soon passed out. Ali called 911 and called for her husband to run for the AED.
What is amazing about this story is that 2 years ago, Ali had requested for the tennis park to get an AED since she noticed that they did not have one. The tennis community has a Memorial event for a tennis player who collapsed on the tennis court, and there wasn’t an AED at the park. Every year, they get together to raise awareness. Six months ago, she noticed that they had purchased an AED, and she texted her husband that it was located at the concession stand; she was so excited that they listened to her suggestion! So, when Ali yelled for her husband to get the AED, he knew exactly where to run for it.
While Ali was on the phone with 911, several others came to help, one a retired police officer and one a flight attendant, and they began CPR. When they placed the AED, it said, “shock advised”. They proceeded with the instructions, continuing CPR throughout. The paramedics came and took over the care, but all together, he was shocked four times at the tennis courts. He was rushed to Huntersville Medical Center, where he had a heart cath, and was transferred to Presbyterian Medical Center for further evaluation.
As a leader rounding, I had the pleasure of meeting him while he was getting ready to walk in the hallway. His brother was there and called Ali an angel and said there was no way his brother would be here if it weren’t for Ali being at that park that day.
The PACU is proud to call Ali our own. She has been in the PACU for 21.5 years. She had been instrumental in providing remarkable nursing care to thousands of Novant patients. Ali’s quick thinking and compassionate ways made her the perfect person to be there to help that day. She is the epitome of a strong, confident, dedicated nurse who was able to take her experience and use it to change the life of another person.