Scott's Story

Scott Rinn of Pueblo had just completed the Toys for Tots Run last December 4th when dual dips in a recently resurfaced road grounded his motorcycle, causing it to flip. His fellow bikers called his wife Susie, telling her where the accident had occurred and assuring her that he "seemed okay"-perhaps a broken foot. She arrived at the scene as paramedics were loading him into the ambulance, headed for Centura/St. Mary Corwin Hospital.

But Scott wasn't "okay." In fact, emergency department physicians would discover the 46-year old had incurred not only a foot injury, but also life-threatening blunt chest and abdominal injuries. Surgeons at St. Mary Corwin performed an emergency splenectomy (removal of the spleen) prior to his transfer to the Level I Trauma Center at St. Anthony Central Hospital.

Scott recalls virtually nothing of the accident and resulting medical crisis. Susie remembers it in vivid detail.

"When we arrived at St. Anthony's, we were told he'd be in room 260, but that Dr. Rinson wanted to see the family in the consultation area. While we were talking with the ICU doctor there, we heard ‘Code Blue room 260' on the paging system. I work in health care and know what that means. Dr. Rinson said we should come back to Scott's room and say our goodbyes."

The room was filled with nurses and physicians, Susie continues, "and Scott had flatlined. We were telling him, ‘Please come back.' But the team never stopped chest compressions." The family left the room, praying. A physician called for the time of death. But then a nurse called, "Wait. I think I hear something." Scott was back.

By January 14, 2011, Scott was in rehabilitation. Shortly thereafter, he was able to continue his recovery at home. Today he has returned to his work as U.S. Food's area manager for southern Colorado.
As an expression of gratitude Scott's company catered a dinner at St. Anthony Central for the physicians, nurses and other staff involved in his survival and recovery.

"These people are just amazing," Susie says of the St. Anthony staff. "The care was excellent-above and beyond what anyone could expect. Working in health care, I know that sometimes something is missed when there's a staff change. There was never any misstep with this team.

"I truly believe Scott wouldn't be here without their care. They never missed a beat."