On Saturday, June 14, Mark Neel was enjoying an evening of live music with his girlfriend and a group of friends at the Lorimar Winery. He had been dancing with several friends before heading back to his table. As he went to sit down, he slumped to the ground.
A flurry of activity ensued as the band made a request to the crowd for anyone who knew CPR. Four people rushed to Mark’s aid, alternating performing CPR for 20 minutes until paramedics arrived. They were able to revive him and he was taken to Southwest Healthcare Temecula Valley Hospital (TVH). “My cardiologist said that is incredible in itself, that four people took turns to resuscitate me while waiting for the paramedics,” says Mark.
Repeated resuscitation efforts
Interventional Cardiologist Harit Desai, MD, was there when Mark arrived. While EMS had revived Mark, once he got to the ER, he went back into cardiac arrest. “He kept coding on us, but we worked hard to bring him back. This team did not give up on him,” says Dr. Desai. “He was taken to the cardiac cath lab so we could check for blockages, and fortunately, there were none. The patient stayed in the ICU due to his very low blood pressure, and his heart was functioning at only 20%.”
Dr. Desai, who performed the angiogram in the cath lab and cared for Mark during his stay, explained that Mark’s heart problem was related to an electrical disturbance that could most likely be treated by implanting a defibrillator. “We closely monitored and stabilized him and he gradually improved. He was at risk for another cardiac arrest, so the team came in on a Saturday and we did the defibrillator implantation,” says Dr. Desai. “This multidisciplinary team is amazing to work with. They kept doing their best and they are the main reason for his successful care!”
A huge difference for the community
He says that TVH has great doctors and experienced staff in the cardiology department. “We are blessed to have this hospital in the community - it makes a huge difference. If you are here, you know you are going to get great treatment,” says Dr Desai.
Mark is grateful for all of the care he received, from the time people rushed to revive him, until his discharge from TVH. “I really don’t remember much before I collapsed,” says Mark. “My daughter was at the hospital, and there were three nurses, Amanda, Katie, and Tiffany, who were with me the whole time, telling me I could make it,” he says. “All of the nurses and doctors were exemplary, and everyone really cared about me. They helped brighten my spirits! I was very fortunate to be so close to this hospital.”
Glad it happened this way
Mark, a 74-year-old U.S. Navy Veteran who was assigned to a Marine Corps jet squadron on the USS Coral Sea during the Vietnam war, lives in Oceanside, about 45 miles away. He says he was not aware of TVH, but that his girlfriend had just moved to Temecula. He was planning to stay there for the night and then travel to Oregon the next day, where his 95-year-old mother was having a minimally invasive heart valve procedure. “I am grateful things happened the way they did, because this could have happened overnight, or during the flight, and I would not have made it,” he says. “My mother has always instilled in me to have gratitude, and this is a testament to that. There is so much to be thankful for, including the people who saved my life. I would really like to meet them and thank them in person.”
Cardiac Program Manager, Katie Baca, MSN, RN, PHN, touches many aspects of the care continuum. She goes out in the community and trains people how to do CPR and partners with EMS. She also oversees the quality of care of TVH patients. “It is very rewarding to know that people want to learn CPR and help save lives. The fact that four people at that event came forward to help Mark is a testament to what we do,” she says. “The more people who know CPR, the more potential lives that can be saved.”
The patient point of view
Another important component at TVH is the group of volunteers, especially those who visit patients to offer support. Mark recounted the story of a young volunteer named Steffani, who is also a cardiac arrest survivor. “My girlfriend was there with me and we were both touched when Steffani shared her experience – it was exactly like what I went through. It was very helpful for me to have her support during my visit,” says Mark. “She stopped in several times to check in on me, and I truly appreciated that.”
When asked about what he would tell people about his experience, Mark could hardly contain himself. “This is one of the best facilities to receive care. It is very clean, very modern, and they have top-notch service! The nursing staff was excellent - very supportive, and everyone was on it!” he says. “I am so grateful to have received care here and I will recommend TVH to everyone. You cannot get care like this where I live. This community is so fortunate!”