TriStar Health network of care saves teacher's life
Caregivers from TriStar Natchez ER, TriStar Horizon and TriStar Centennial collaborate to help patient survive despite three cardiac arrests.
A Hickman County teacher is grateful to be alive after suffering three cardiac arrests and receiving life-saving treatment from caregivers across multiple TriStar Health emergency rooms and hospitals. On August 24th, 2023, 37-year-old Angelica Essary experienced difficulty breathing. Out of concern, her sister immediately took her to TriStar Natchez ER in Dickson. After she arrived, her difficulty breathing worsened, and she suddenly suffered a cardiac arrest. Quickly, the TriStar Natchez ER team sprang into action and was able to get her pulse back.
“If one thing had happened differently, the outcome may not have been as positive,” Angelica Essary said. “We had the best doctors and nurses. Everyone seemed focused and wanted to be where they were, taking care of people. We will be thankful for them for the rest of our lives.”
The team at TriStar Natchez ER was able to stabilize Angelica and transfer her to TriStar Horizon Medical Center’s Intensive Care Unit. Angelica suffered yet another cardiac arrest in the ICU, and the physicians and nurses at TriStar Horizon knew Angelica needed a special therapy called Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). The TriStar Horizon team helped streamline efforts to get Angelica safely to TriStar Centennial Medical Center. Angelica was transported on SkyLife Air Transport, TriStar Health’s medical helicopter, which has state-of-the-art ECMO capabilities on board.
“My husband said his mind was eased when he saw so many familiar faces that he knew would take care of me. I believe that God took care of every need we had by placing us in the appropriate hands to care for me,” Angelica said.
However, when Angelica arrived at TriStar Centennial, she suffered a third cardiac arrest. An expert team of cardiac physicians and nurses worked to stabilize her once more and place her on ECMO, a form of life support that allows organs to recover or to be repaired. Angelica spent nine days on ECMO.
“This positive outcome was achievable because of the broad network and teamwork that is fundamental to our ECMO program,” TriStar Centennial ECMO Medical Director Dr. Sage Whitmore said. “From the rapid recognition and stabilization by frontline providers, coordination through a centralized Shock Team hotline, to meeting the patient on arrival with a team trained to place her on ECMO within minutes, cases like hers are a fulfilling reminder that it is not just a machine we have, but a team of dedicated professionals comprising a whole system of care ready to serve the community.”
Today, Angelica is back in Hickman with her family while continuing to progress through her cardiac rehabilitation therapy. She says she is only here today because of the care teams at TriStar Natchez ER, TriStar Horizon and TriStar Centennial. She believes she is alive today because of God, prayer and the collaboration of doctors and nurses at TriStar Health.
“To wake up and learn I had died was so surreal. I look at the world in a different way now. I appreciate every little thing. From the smell of the wind to every interaction I have with people. I am changed for life,” Angelica said.
TriStar Health is one of the region’s largest and most comprehensive healthcare network of hospitals, emergency rooms, physician clinics, urgent cares, surgery and imaging centers serving Middle Tennessee and Southern Kentucky patients. Learn more about our continuum of care by visiting TriStarHealth.com.