Name: 'We're seeing the worst of the worst': Houston nurse describes dire situation in ICU surge
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'We're seeing the worst of the worst': Houston nurse describes dire situation in ICU surge

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ByImageCaptionClose"It's organized chaos, " Memorial Hermann ICU nurse, Jesse Cannizzo said. "I'm a trauma nurse. That's my background. &nbsp;We're seeing rapid changes day-to-day."What's most disquieting for Cannizzo is that the intense influx of patients doesn't stop at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital."It's organized chaos, " Memorial Hermann ICU nurse, Jesse Cannizzo said. "I'm a trauma nurse. That's my background. &nbsp;We're seeing rapid changes day-to-day."What's most disquieting for Cannizzo is that the'We're seeing the worst of the worst': Houston nurse describes dire situation in ICU surgeBack to GalleryFor Houston doctors and nurses, it has become a daunting, hourly challenge to serve on the frontlines of the COVID-19 battle, especially after T"It's organized chaos, " Memorial Hermann ICU nurse Jesse Cannizzo said. "I'm a trauma nurse. That's my background.&nbsp; We're seeing rapid changes day-to-day."What's most disquieting for Cannizzo is that the intense influx of patients doesn't stop at the Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital.Cannizzo added that once one patient leaves the hospital, "you get another patient within the hour." &nbsp;It's basically a constant revolving door. "I can just point to this past Sunday, where we had multiple ICU patients in the emergency room. This past week, we had so many that were waiting for beds."Cannizzo maintains the face of calm in a dire public health emergency situation."The uncertainty is the worry. Knowing how long we can sustain, praying for the flattening of the curve," Cannizo said. "You're never disconnected. You're worried about your team and you're worried about your family at home."Cannizzo also worries about the safety of his 6-year-old young daughter, so special protocols are in place."I literally will come to my house, strip down and change into extra change of clothes in the garage, then go straight to the shower," Cannizzo said. "I want to make sure I'm not bringing anything home to the family.&nbsp; She doesn't hug me when I get home now. As soon as I walk in, there's a heightened sense of awareness."When Cannizzo suffered a bad headache last week, his daughter's first question was, "Dad, do you have COVID-19?""I had to tell her 'No babe, dad just has a headache,' but that was her first reaction," Cannizo said. "The time I've had with her has been limited, because I'm being called at all hours of the night."The issue now is that Cannizo doesn't see a palpable end in sight to the current trajectory of cases."We're seeing the worst of the worst. The disease doesn't have a preference," Cannizo said. "Younger adults, even 30s and 40s are coming in. Sometimes you help individuals without comorbidities, and they're being put on a ventilator. We're reaching capacity every day."Cannizzo also worries about the future of the patients after they survive treatment in an ICU."Their lives are changed forever," Cannizzo said. "We don't know what their lives will be like and what the after-effects of the virus will be.&nbsp; It's weighted upon you."Cannizzo worked in trauma care during Hurricane Harvey, but said this pandemic is unlike any other disaster."I was there through Harvey. Personally with Harvey, we had an end date," Cannizo added. "We just don't have that end date in site. What we battle is what is our new normal. "Cannizzo wants to urge Houstonians to keep practicing social distancing and wearing masks."It's the masks that are so vital to reduce transmission," Cannizzo said. "At this point, you're not just doing it for you but you're also doing for your fellow Houstonians."

ByImageCaptionClose"It's organized chaos, " Memorial Hermann ICU nurse, Jesse Cannizzo said. "I'm a trauma nurse. That's my background. &nbsp;We're seeing rapid changes day-to-day."What's most disquieting for Cannizzo is that the intense influx of patients doesn't stop at Memorial Hermann Greater Heights Hospital."It's organized chaos, " Memorial Hermann ICU nurse, Jesse Cannizzo said. "I'm a trauma nurse. That's my background. &nbsp;We're seeing rapid changes day-to-day."What's most disquieting for Cannizzo is that the'We're seeing the worst of the worst': Houston nurse describes dire...

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Alison Medley

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'We're seeing the worst of the worst': Houston nurse describes dire situation in ICU surge

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