Exceptional joined-up patient care credited for holidaymaker’s ‘miraculous’ recovery

Emergency Department staff at Broome Health Campus – along with teams from St John WA, Royal Flying Doctor Service and Royal Perth Hospital – have been dubbed miracle workers for their combined efforts to save the life of a Sydney holidaymaker.

Wendy Gruggen and husband Rod had just arrived at their accommodation when they decided to stretch their legs along Cable Beach on the afternoon of 23 April.

During the walk, Wendy suddenly felt faint and fell unconscious to the ground.

“She wasn’t breathing and had no pulse,” recalled Rod, who immediately called 000 while two passers-by applied CPR.

An ambulance arrived within five minutes and paramedics resuscitated Wendy, who was rushed to hospital with Rod by her side.

“When we arrived, Dr Alan Turner did a CT scan showing no clots on the brain or in the lungs, and he was in contact with the Royal Perth Hospital (RPH) Cardiac Care team,” Rod said.

“He arranged for Wendy and I to be transported to RPH that night by the Royal Flying Doctor Service (RFDS). We arrived at 2.30am and it was straight to the Intensive Care Unit.”

Rod said Wendy had her existing pacemaker analysed and was given an echocardiogram and angiogram, “all showing that her heart was in good working order with no clots”.

A replacement implantable cardioverter-defibrillator was installed on 29 April and Wendy was discharged three days later.

The couple flew home on 6 May and followed up with appointments with a GP, Cardiologist and Electrophysiologist.

“They were all amazed that Wendy is still here with us,” Rod said.

“She was encouraged to start walking again at the end of May and she’s coping well with lots of friends as support, along with a very grateful family.

“All in all, it was a miraculous outcome.”

Rod wrote to the Broome team recently to thank them, as well as St John and RFDS staff, “for what you all did to save my wife’s life”.

“We were most impressed with the professionalism and personal care you showed Wendy and I,” he wrote.

“Keep safe and keep doing what you do best – saving lives.”

Dr Turner, a Locum Emergency Physician and part-time Specialist Medical Officer with the Royal Australian Air Force, said he was “absolutely thrilled” to hear of Wendy’s recovery.

“Looking after Wendy was one of those cases that really stuck with me,” he said.

“Rod and I were faced with some really difficult decisions that night, so to find out that everything has turned out so well, it’s just really rewarding.”

Dr Turner also praised Broome Health Campus staff for their quick thinking.

“I absolutely loved my time working with the amazing team in Broome ED – so much so that I’m heading back for another month very soon,” he said.

“It’s a great team, interesting medicine, and a wonderful location. I often recommend it to my colleagues who are looking for a change of pace from the big city.”