Certified registered nurse, anesthetist Derrick Smith is no stranger to the horrors of losing patients.

But now, the coronavirus pandemic has pushed him into a completely different, "much more terrifying" reality.

Smith, who is predominantly treating Covid-19 patients at a hospital in New York City, revealed the tragic last words of a dying man he was about to place on a ventilator: "Who's going to pay for it?" the coronavirus patient asked Smith in between labored breaths.


"They were last words I'll never forget," Smith told CNN.


"This patient was in severe respiratory distress, had difficulty speaking, and yet still, his main concern was who could pay for a procedure that would extend his life, but statistically he doesn't have a good likelihood of survival."






https://amp.cnn.com/cnn/2020/04/11/health/nurse-last-words-coronavirus-patient-trnd/index.html?__twitter_impression=true

Knowing that the patient was most likely not going to recover once he was intubated, Smith and his colleagues called the man's wife to give them what may have been their last chance to say goodbye.

Most Covid-19 patients will die after being placed on ventilators, with the mortality rate reaching up to 80% in intubated coronavirus patients, Smith said.

Smith called the incident "by far the worst thing" he has witnessed in his 12 years of critical care and anesthesia and said the moment shed light on a health care system that he says has been and still is failing its people.

"I was very sad and honestly, a little horrified.

This demonstrates that we have a profound failure when one has to worry about their finances when they're dealing with much bigger issues that have to do with life or death."

Looking at the bigger picture

Smith did not have an answer to his patient's question and instead turned the conversation to getting the man to talk to his spouse one last time.

Despite the tragic circumstances, the question was a valid concern.

Did I see 'this country is a failed state?'

*chuckle

Come to Nigeria.

What they call a ‘failed state’ is a ‘safe haven’ for us here.
They should come here and experience ‘failed state’ in high density.

Ishilove:
Did I see 'this country is a failed state?'

*chuckle

Come to Nigeria.

He said the country failed.

The USA once again proves no country is 100%. They've spent years developing their security systems since 9/11 at the expense of their healthcare system even despite a "heads up" from Bill Gates. Hope Biden fixes that soon.

Am just speechless and tired of all these Covid-19 news everyday, these corona pandemic should just end already. Father lord please forgive all nations of the world, so a potent vaccine would be found soon enough.

Ishilove:
Did I see 'this country is a failed state?'

*chuckle

Come to Nigeria.

I had to read that place thrice and then start from the beginning again to really be sure I saw that.

Kriss216:
What they call a ‘failed state’ is a ‘safe haven’ for us here.
They should come here and experience ‘failed state’ in high density.

Say na high density

Ishilove:
Did I see 'this country is a failed state?'

*chuckle

Come to Nigeria.

I swear

Hmm

The US is the only first world country without Universal Health Care.

The UK has arguably the best car manufacturers
Aston Martin
Bentley
Jaguar
Land Rover
Lotus
McLaren
Rolls-Royce.
If everyone were to buy it, they would all go broke. The same applies to USA health care.

Authoreety:


I had to read that place thrice and then start from the beginning again to really be sure I saw that.

If that's the definition of a failed state na him be say Nigeria na wetin?

So you want us to start draiging title of "failed state" with you.

You should be sentenced to 1 year of living in Kastina

If the US has failed then I guess Nigeria is a dropout lmao . These white guys can be funny sha

HE IS MONEY CENTERED.

God is the only Perfect Being!

Ishilove:
Did I see 'this country is a failed state?'

*chuckle

Come to Nigeria.

I thought it was just me.

Explorer + people that died of convid-19 this days are like Amala ati ewedu

Only those who have respiratory condition before covid especially the elderly ones should stay safe indoors and cared for. Not tht everybody be locked indoors for no reason.Work to earn living if you are healthy and with no respiratory conditions.Govts does not care if your money is going low, go and work or wait for d worse poverty.

Using "failed state" for Nigeria come be like honor

Only those who have respiratory condition before covid especially the elderly ones should stay safe indoors and cared for. Not tht everybody be locked indoors for no reason.Work to earn living if you are healthy and with no respiratory conditions.Govts does not care if your money is going low, go and work or wait for d worse poverty.

covid19 prevention
Pray using Isaiah3vs15 pray tht pharohs in your country and state be swiped out fr the earth surface.
Drinking hot water in mornin
Blackseed oil
take enough orange for vit c
tak lemon juice
eat vegetables well
maintain around hygene
drink vovka lik ppl in Belarus country if yu can afford.NO FEARS! YOU ARE GOOD TO GO DAILY.GOD IS IN CONTROL FOR HIS OWN PEOPLE.

May God continue to show mercy on us.

ReverseFlash:
The USA once again proves no country is 100%. They've spent years developing their security systems since 9/11 at the expense of their healthcare system even despite a "heads up" from Bill Gates. Hope Biden fixes that soon.

I wish biden could win ....I just wish

US failed state,what are we then. It's a sad watching people die like this.

A Nigga Once Said: Kwekeni o!! The guy just called U.S a "FAILED STATE". That means we living in nigeria are living in a ___________?



Na wa o

ReverseFlash:
The USA once again proves no country is 100%. They've spent years developing their security systems since 9/11 at the expense of their healthcare system even despite a "heads up" from Bill Gates. Hope Biden fixes that soon.

Spending hundread billions to develop the next super weapon, instead of a super drugs that can cure anything

CAPSLOCKED:
THIS ONE NA OLODO DOCTOR O, HOW CAN YOU SAY YOUR COUNTRY IS A FAILED STATE, AND THE WORST, WHEN YOU HAVE NOT BEEN TO CHAD, GABON, HAITI, NEPAL, AND MY DARLING NIGERIAN... THE ALMIGHTY NUMBER ONE FAILED NATION IN THE ENTIRE MILKY WAY GALAXY?

this ur comment cracked me up bro

What if your hospital don't have a ventilator? What if your Doctors are forced to diagnose cases without any equipment at all?

what if you power your hospital with I pass my neighbour generator?

What if you as a health worker is not well Paid, and infact you have to go to strike to fight for the peanut that your recieve as salary!?

The patient even had access to a ventilator and electricity and you are calling your country a failed state

Ishilove:
Did I see 'this country is a failed state?'

*chuckle

Come to Nigeria.

Tell him to show up in kano.