Staff from the Emergency Room (ER), Respiratory Therapy (RT), and the Operating Room (OR) responded to an unprecedented Obstetrics Emergency on the Women and Infant’s Care Unit (WICU) occurring at shift change. This incident was unique in that it involved a critical post-partum patient with a severely ruptured uterus in need of a massive blood transfusion and an unresponsive newborn requiring extensive resuscitation.

Amidst a perilous situation Mrs. Elyena Carlson, ER Charge Nurse for day shift, demonstrated impeccable leadership by assuming a crucial role to ensure the highest quality care of both patients in the room and modeling excellent communication.

Under the expeditious and expert direction of Pediatric provider, Dr. Shamim Nafea, ER Nurses— CPT Melissa Burkett and 1LT Margaret Alexander— provided diligent and effective CPR to revive the lifeless infant while ER provider, Dr. Stephen Chong, successfully intubated on first attempt. Thereafter, RTs, SSG James Bomar and SSG Jose Pantoja, meticulously managed the infant’s delicate airway and ventilation onsite and thru the completion of an emergency ambulance transport to a host nation hospital with NICU capabilities. Concurrently, OB/GYN Surgeon, Dr. Rachel Consoli, flawlessly orchestrated the complex critical care of the adult patient with vital support from CRNA, LTC Stephen Watt, who provided anesthesia services and administered the rapid infusion of blood products; OR Scrub Tech, CPL Magdelina Wilson, who facilitated the prompt and efficient set-up for the emergency c-section; and a proactive ER Medic, SPC Abel Espada, who was instrumental in the expeditious transport of the patient to the OR.

Through every moment of the arduous experience, the knowledge, composure, and reliability of WICU LPNs, SPC Matthew Sandoval and SPC Breinard Cristobal, proved invaluable to both patient teams. The heroic actions of the team members are magnified when considering the staffing, practical exposure, and resource challenges that accompany the austere work environment of a modest community hospital on foreign soil.

Nonetheless, because of a collective commitment to interdisciplinary teamwork, expert proficiency, rapid adaptability, and relentless devotion to the service of humanity, both patients overcame unimaginable adversity and received the irreplaceable gift of life.