MMC-BD NEWS

Timing, Training Help Save Jermaine Sabourin's Life

One moment, Jermaine Sabourin was eating lunch. The next, she thought she was going to die.

Jermaine, 88, was volunteering in the Beaver Dam Community Hospital Gift Shop on July 30 when she paused for a quick lunch. For a few minutes, she enjoyed the tender beef and mashed potatoes her friend and fellow volunteer Lila Frank had brought her from the BDCH Café.

But suddenly, a piece of beef lodged in her windpipe and Jermaine began struggling for air. Lila noticed her panic and asked her if she was ok. Jermaine shook her head no and Lila ran out of the gift shop and into the main lobby of the hospital, pleading for help.

As the Registration Desk paged Rapid Response to the Gift Shop, Lila saw Nicole Hughes walking with her lunch and asked her to help. Nicole, who works in the hospital lab, immediately ran into the gift shop.

“I just reacted; there was no time to think or to be nervous. I checked on Jermaine and asked her if she wanted me to do the Heimlich maneuver and she shook her head yes,” Nicole said.

As a hospital employee, Nicole had been trained on life-saving techniques like CPR and the Heimlich maneuver. But this was the first time she had ever put that training into action. She performed two abdominal thrusts, but nothing happened, and Jermaine began turning blue.

“I didn’t want to hurt her, but I realized I had to amp it up a bit and try harder,” Nicole said.

The third time was the charm as Nicole was able to clear Jermaine’s airway. Jermaine was relieved, but still having a difficult time breathing, so she was taken to the BDCH Emergency Department and later admitted into the hospital for overnight observation. She wished she was home in her own bed, but was incredibly thankful to still be alive.

“Nicole and Lila are my lifesavers; I wouldn’t be here today if it weren’t for them,” Jermaine said. “They are my angels of mercy. It was such a traumatic event, and I really thought I was going to die. I am so grateful they were able to help so quickly.”

Nicole, meanwhile, was grateful for her training.

“Working in the lab, I’ve never utilized my training before, but the mindset working in a smaller hospital is everyone has to be ready to help anybody at any time,” Nicole said. “Training is great for our staff but even people in the community should consider it because you never know when you’ll be needed.”

BDCH requires training and quarterly skills testing for staff that provide direct care to patients. CPR and other life-saving training are also periodically offered to the public. For more information, call 920-887-4121.

While Jermaine learned the value of life-saving training the hard way, she also learned another valuable lesson.

“I’m going to eat more slowly and cut everything really small,” Jermaine said.

PHOTO: From left are Lila Frank, Jermaine Sabourin and Nicole Hughes.