A nursing team’s swift intervention prevents choking tragedy on cardiology unit

When Eli Kaliski heard an urgent alarm sound on his cardiology medicine unit, he dropped everything and rushed to the scene.

The recent nursing graduate who works in acute care at UCHealth University of Colorado Hospital was ready for anything when a fellow nurse triggered an alarm called the CenTrak Real-Time Location System, or RTLS.

“Whenever the (RTLS) button is pushed, everyone on the unit drops what they are doing if they aren’t already helping another patient.”

When Kaliski arrived in the room, the patient was choking, visibly panicked and in need of immediate help. Kaliski learned from the primary nurse that the patient had pills lodged in their airway.

“Everyone available on the unit came to check in with the primary nurse to see how we could best support,” Kaliski said.

“It’s just what you do as a nurse.”

The primary nurse began assigning tasks to those who showed up first and called on Kaliski to help dislodge the pills blocking the patient’s airway.

“I got behind the patient and performed the Heimlich maneuver while others on my team began suctioning the patient’s airway.”

Kaliski and the team resolved the situation in less than five minutes — from calling for assistance to clearing the patient’s airway.

“The primary nurse and CNA also did an incredible job of cleaning up the patient and calming them down immediately after we dislodged the pills,” Kaliski said.

“In life-threatening and time-sensitive situations, you can clearly see how our unit works well as a team,” Kaliski said.

“We are great at delegating, and we hope that our patients recognize how well we collaborate and the quality care we provide together.

“The situation solidified for me that I love this team and that I can always count on them to lend a helping hand when it’s needed,” Kaliski said.

Nick Klein, nurse manager on the University of Colorado Hospital’s cardiology medicine unit, submitted a Celebrating You commendation to congratulate Kaliski for his quick, outstanding response.

“Thanks to Eli’s swift intervention and calm decisiveness, a potentially life-threatening situation was averted, preventing what could have been a severe or even fatal outcome,” Klein said.

“His actions showcased not only his growing clinical skills but also his dedication to patient safety and care.”