Harumi Key
February 2022
Harumi
Key
,
BSN, RN
Emergency Room
El Camino Health
Mountain View
,
CA
United States
Harumi’s efforts ultimately helped to save this woman’s life and she is now home and doing well.
On the afternoon of Christmas Eve, I had intense and unusual pain in my back and told my husband to take me to the ER. A few blocks from Los Gatos ED, I went into cardiac arrest. When we pulled into ER my husband banged on doors for help. Harumi came running and began chest compressions in the car. While there are many people who are responsible for me being alive, I absolutely credit Harumi for keeping me alive. A lot of things had to happen correctly but if she hadn’t responded as quickly or expertly, I would not be writing this today.
It is now 3 weeks later, I’m expected to be released from rehab tomorrow. I have some PT to do but am expected to make a complete recovery, truly a miracle, all starting with Harumi. Thank you doesn’t seem enough but it is deeply heartfelt. Thank you from me, my husband, my daughters, parents, and siblings who are all deeply grateful for Harumi’s lifesaving effort that day.
***
A nurse from the ED also nominated Harumi and shared his version of Harumi’s stellar response to an unusual crisis situation that occurred in the parking lot of the Emergency room. The patient arrived with her husband via private vehicle. The patient’s husband stated that his wife was awake and alert but not feeling well as they left the house to come to the ER. He then stated that his wife went unconscious one block from the ER. When they arrived in the parking lot, Harumi identified the situation from inside and ran to the car. The patient was unconscious, unresponsive, and without a pulse. Harumi immediately began CPR in the car while instructing the husband to pull the car around to the ambulance bay where she could get help from others all the while providing high-quality CPR. Harumi’s efforts ultimately helped to save this woman’s life and she is now home and doing well.
It is now 3 weeks later, I’m expected to be released from rehab tomorrow. I have some PT to do but am expected to make a complete recovery, truly a miracle, all starting with Harumi. Thank you doesn’t seem enough but it is deeply heartfelt. Thank you from me, my husband, my daughters, parents, and siblings who are all deeply grateful for Harumi’s lifesaving effort that day.
***
A nurse from the ED also nominated Harumi and shared his version of Harumi’s stellar response to an unusual crisis situation that occurred in the parking lot of the Emergency room. The patient arrived with her husband via private vehicle. The patient’s husband stated that his wife was awake and alert but not feeling well as they left the house to come to the ER. He then stated that his wife went unconscious one block from the ER. When they arrived in the parking lot, Harumi identified the situation from inside and ran to the car. The patient was unconscious, unresponsive, and without a pulse. Harumi immediately began CPR in the car while instructing the husband to pull the car around to the ambulance bay where she could get help from others all the while providing high-quality CPR. Harumi’s efforts ultimately helped to save this woman’s life and she is now home and doing well.