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MommyTo3Boys1Girl
04-02-2013, 09:24 PM
A "friend" (an aquaintance) had a "horrifying" experience today at Disneyland. She and her 3 children, and a friend of hers and her 1 yo daughter were at DL. About 9am the 1yo had a seizure and stopped breathing. My "friend" is an RN so she performed CPR with another guest who happened to be a Dr., while they waited for paramedics to arrive. She said the DL nurses arrived with oxygen and assited but she was "appauled" that DLR didn't have more than RNs on staff. That they should have their own Drs or at least EMS because she said it took forever for the paramedics to find them in the park. I do not know how long forever is to her, I am sure it felt like a long time with it being such a stressful situation, but I doubt it took longer than a normal 911 reponse call. We had a discussion about how their aren't EMS at the mall, or the library, or anywhere else you go on a regular basis. She is distraught about this and will "never go to Disney again" because of this. Can you imagine what ticket prices would be if DLR had to staff an ER Dr for the few situations where something so severe happens the wonderful RNs on staff can't handle it.
I am a former flight attendant, my DH an airline pilot and I brought up the scenario that what if this happened in flight. My DH said the fastest he has ever gotten a 737 down from 40,000 feet for a medical emergency was 15 minutes and that was only because they were right on top of an airport, it isn't just getting down to landing it is also finding a place to land. In my flight attendant training we learned basic first aid, although now there are defibrilators on board. Average time to get to the ground is 30-40 minutes. I had an emergency on board once, and we had 2 ER Drs and a nurse on board. It was like being in a hospital.
What are your thoughts?

candles71
04-02-2013, 09:40 PM
I think (since you asked, ;)) that there is a fully equipped and staffed ER less than 10 minutes from Disneyland. I think your friend was emotionally involved in the situation and it probably didn't take near as long as she felt it took.
I am with you in that most other public places don't have a doctor on staff. Most first aid stations are not even staffed by RN's so they are already ahead of the curve. I think that you gave a very good example of a plane not having a doctor on board and it takes time to set one down safely.
I hope the little one recovers well and quickly.

Malcon10t
04-02-2013, 09:47 PM
There are AEDs all through the park. RNs are in park, and EMS is located in a central resort location close to DTD. It houses 4 paramedics at all times, so basically they have 2 sets available to either Disneyland, DCA or DTD around the clock. It would not be logical to have a set in each park when they can have them centrally located. You can see the EMS station from the Monorail if you are looking. It is by DTD, in the same building area as the Anaheim PD building.

adriennek
04-02-2013, 10:54 PM
I think your friend was emotionally involved in the situation and it probably didn't take near as long as she felt it took.
I am with you in that most other public places don't have a doctor on staff. Most first aid stations are not even staffed by RN's so they are already ahead of the curve.

THIS.

I've only had a short number of experiences with First Aid (CFA) at Disneyland and each time, I've always been very pleased that they have RNs on staff. Plural. Everyone working in CFA is an RN. That's awesome. I've been pleased with the level of care they offer in CFA.

Not to overstep on the opinion, but I have to wonder if any level of service would've been enough for this "friend"? And I actually find her reaction a bit disappointing given that she IS an RN.

Does she get out much? (Sorry - the more I think about this, the more unreasonable I think the expectation is.)

Yeah. I little bit of an overreaction, I think.

3Princesses1Prince
04-03-2013, 07:15 AM
I was surprised they had RNs on staff too. Of course then the wheels started turning to my future retirement plans....

I too think the friend was too close to the situation. EMS is extremely close and I'd assume know the park layout well to be able to get to a specific location quickly. But it's not like they can drive right in. And in an emergency situation minutes can feel like hours.

DisneyFunFamily4
04-03-2013, 08:43 AM
I've thought about being a RN at DL too but they require a strong background in ER or trauma. I have no desire to work ER or trauma so that's out. The RNs on staff at WDW are not first responders, they have EMT teams that do that. So they hire nurses from many different back grounds.

ogold72
04-03-2013, 09:25 AM
So it sounds like there are EMTs dedicated to support the DLR and are centrally located. Having the RN likely responded because he/she was able to, not to preclude the normal procedure of dispaching the EMTs.

I think that is a pretty robust response team for an emergency. You can discuss response times and debate on whether it was a reasonable transit time, but they have the right staff for first response.

Malcon10t
04-03-2013, 10:07 AM
Here is how it is going to play out. The RN is in the park and closest to the action. When security is notified there is an issue, the call goes out and the RN is dispatched. In the situation described above, EMS would also be dispatched. The RN will arrive first, they are simply closer, similar to how fire personnel will arrive first when an ambulance is dispatched in a town. The RN is trained for emergencies. EMS will arrive as quickly as possible. They may be 5 mins behind the nurse.

Your friend had several issues. First, someone had to notify a cast member lead. So, when the nearest cast member was told, they had to get the lead (who has the walkie talkie...) They notified security who sent a team, which included the nurse. They also notify EMS, who sends 2 paramedics. It can take a few mins. I understand her being upset, its her child. But, overall, I think he had better chances there rather than your local Target or Mall or even local park.

My dad was a fire fighter and EMT. I will never forget the story he told me of responding with an ambulance to a call at a doctor's office for a person having a heart attack. His first thought was "Big deal, we ust show up for the show..." They arrived, and NO ONE had started CPR. Why? None of the doctors/nurses knew how! Now this was 15 years ago, but still, you would think a doctor's office would be a safe spot to have a heart attack!

Now, lets say that in the worst case scenerio, there are several major emergencies happening at the same time, and both EMS teams are already deployed, 2 more EMS teams are at the corner of Disney Way and Clementine, less than 3 mins away. (They will go down Manchester, back up Harbor and enter before the ART entrance.)

3Princesses1Prince
04-03-2013, 11:41 AM
I've thought about being a RN at DL too but they require a strong background in ER or trauma. I have no desire to work ER or trauma so that's out. The RNs on staff at WDW are not first responders, they have EMT teams that do that. So they hire nurses from many different back grounds.

Good to know. Is it weird to plan your career based on what you want to do for "retirement"? ;)

Seashellmama
04-03-2013, 10:20 PM
How is the baby doing?

chancencinny
04-04-2013, 02:59 PM
If I had a medical emergency I would want it to be in Disneyland. The response is very quick compared to anywhere else I have ever been. Not only in terms of how quickly you get a trained person on site, the RN, but also paramedics. I went through CPR training when I was at Disneyland and I was told in the class that the survival rate for people who experience cardiac related emergencies was higher at Disneyland then in some medical offices just because they respond so quickly and the avilability of AEDs. In terms or getting paramedics on site, they have different backstage points depending on where the emergency is and unless you are in the middle of the park they can be there very quickly. Security and an RN respond first to clear the area for the paramedics and security usually escorts them through the crowds to get there and out again. It's not instant but I would be willing to bet that the cast members will respond quicker and assistance would be there quicker then any other public place. Also, most of the RNs either have a big background in urgent care or emergency rooms or Disney is their second job. Keep in mind the sheer number of people who want to visit Disneyland as their last wish or bucket list item and are ill when they arrive. Not to mention people who travel far and don't want to miss out because they feel a little travel sick. Disney has to have a quick response time to keep their guests safe and they work hard to make sure they get trained professionals to the emergency as quick as possible.

Hopefully the little one is doing well. But, I agree with the others that the person mentioned as involved is just close to the situation. I am sure the response time was a quick as Disney could make it and it just seemed like forever in the moment.

fairestoneofall
04-04-2013, 10:09 PM
My son had a seizure while we were I line at city hall to get a GAC. While he came out of it rather quickly I did take him to first aid where we had a wonderful nure. Thankfully I was there with friends. Her niece took her daughter and my oldest while her and I took P to first aid. We stayed in the park until P could talk and walk and tell me how he was feeling (about 2 hours?) and then I hit the road. I had my pediatrician on speed dial and she insisted I bring him in as soon as it was safe for me to drive him home. I was there sans hubby that day.

MammaSilva
04-05-2013, 05:06 AM
Add me to the list of folks grateful for the medical staff at Disneyland, we've had to make use of the First Aide station often on our trips, sometimes for something as simple as we needed something for a headache or a blister, or use of one of the rooms to do a medication/feeding treatment (Missy has a feeding tube) to seizure recovery and I've been impressed with the staff each and every time we've needed them.

LauraTD
04-05-2013, 07:46 AM
I think everyone here is right that Disney is to be commended for their staffing and planning around emergencies and that it is one of the safer places to have a medical emergency but this poor woman was speaking on the day that her baby stopped breathing. I think parents should be allowed at least a one day waver on being completely rational when their child stops breathing, even if they are an RN. If I was talking to one of my "friends" about something traumatic I would hope their response to me would be "I am so sorry, that must have been horrible" and not "Here is why you are wrong about your "horrifying" experience." Perhaps in a week or so, logical reasons why Disneyland was not part of the problem would be appropriate, but since there is no pressing need to get this woman back into the park, I would let her vent about her horrifying experience without debating the details or putting ironic quotes around how "horrifying" it was even if she was just a "friend" and not a friend.

candles71
04-05-2013, 03:15 PM
Unless I read that wrong, it was not the mother of the child but the friend of the OP and friend of the child's mother, who is an RN who was upset. Not that she still wasn't emotionally close to the situation.

Malcon10t
04-05-2013, 03:28 PM
If I was talking to one of my "friends" about something traumatic I would hope their response to me would be "I am so sorry, that must have been horrible" and not "Here is why you are wrong about your "horrifying" experience." Perhaps in a week or so, logical reasons why Disneyland was not part of the problem would be appropriate, but since there is no pressing need to get this woman back into the park, I would let her vent about her horrifying experience without debating the details or putting ironic quotes around how "horrifying" it was even if she was just a "friend" and not a friend.I would agree. However, the poster here requested our views on if Disneyland had adequate emergency medical responses.

MommyTo3Boys1Girl
04-06-2013, 06:51 AM
I don't even know the name of the child's mother. The person who told me this story is a friend of the mother of thechild & an acquaacquaintance of mine. She is on another board I am on, & SHE is the RN, that's why I put "friend" that way, she is not a FRIEND. I wasn't bashing her situation or feelings. I do think she over reacted in thinking that she'd never go to Disneyland again. But I figure that is a knee jerk reaction to the stress of a situation.
The baby is OK. They didn't find anything wrong, just a febrile seizure.
She did further go on to say the EMS told her friend they were from "off Disney campus." She also stated that when she asked the first responders RN for assistance they handed her the ambu bag & did not step in to assist with CPR. I am not in the medical field at all but am thinking that's for liability reasons? Although it seems a random guest who was a Dr was not worried about liability to help.
Anyway, I was asking because I wanted to know the protocol so I could respond with knowledge to her, & for my own curiosity. The only time, knock on wood,we have needed first aid at DDisneyland was a band aid or an aspirin.

3Princesses1Prince
04-06-2013, 07:20 AM
The RN wouldn't necessarily take over CPR from someone already doing it. With a child they don't want to stop compressions so the ambu bag made it so compressions wouldn't have to be stopped to give breaths.

I don't think the doctor has liability because their actions are not on the job. The Good Samaritan laws give them some protection. The nurse on the job can't refuse to give CPR, but since it was already in processes I'm not sure that she is required to take over. Unless the party doing it can't continue?

HTanner
04-06-2013, 08:36 AM
When my cousin was little, she nearly died at Disneyland. My aunt is also an RN. I forget what happened, but it was severe - she spent at least a week in the hospital following what happened. The emergency response was excellent and saved my cousin's life. The doctors at the hospital said if Disney hadn't acted so quickly, my cousin would have died. I feel very confident that if something happens to me or my kids in a Disney park, Disney will be able to handle it as best as anyone else could, if not better.

LauraTD
04-06-2013, 12:34 PM
I would agree. However, the poster here requested our views on if Disneyland had adequate emergency medical responses.

I have no problem with the discussion of Disney's medical responses, it was the quotes around "horrifying" that I found harsh. Whether it was my child or a friends child or a child I didn't know, I would be horrified when it stopped breathing. I am glad it wasn't the mother the OP was debating with, because that seemed even harsher. My apologies for misunderstanding that part.

Cyette
04-10-2013, 02:36 PM
This has been a very educational and reassuring thread. Thanks for all the information, everyone. I'm gratified the little one is okay, along with the other happy-ending stories shared.