Given the choice , she chose the best of all worlds .
It was a morning like any other . Patty Carnes ’ husband , Tom , aka Tug , had a heart failure exacerbation that made it hard to breathe . She called 911 then went to move their truck to make room for the ambulance .
Unbeknownst to her , their new puppy had dug a hole in the driveway — which she tripped over , causing her to fall to the ground , landing on her shoulder .
She knew immediately that she hurt her shoulder . Once the ambulance arrived and the medics got Tug settled , she had them take a look at her . They called another ambulance right away .
Knowing Tug was in good hands and on his way to the hospital , Patty requested to be taken to AHN Canonsburg Hospital , where she works registration in the Emergency Department .
“ I wanted to be treated by that team ,” she said . “ I ’ ve been working there and going there for 30 years . It ’ s such a nice community hospital . Both for patients and employees .”
Dr . David Abt assessed her then quickly got to work . “ We called the radiologist to X-ray her right away . Once we saw her shoulder was dislocated , we put her in a private trauma room , sedated her , and popped it back in .
Within two hours , Patty was out of the ER . After a brief stop for further evaluation , a rotator cuff injury was revealed from the shoulder dislocation .
“ Dr . Abt treats all his patients with the same kindness . The amount of care he gives people is just wonderful .”
— PATTY CARNES
“ Dr . Abt treats all his patients with the same kindness . The amount of care he gives people is just wonderful ,” Patty said . “ He gives everybody the time and devotion needed to heal .”
“ As with every other patient in the community , we have a commitment to provide efficient and excellent care in any given moment as best we can ,” said Dr . Abt .
“ I ’ m constantly reassured and overjoyed when I see staff members trusting Canonsburg with their loved ones . That ’ s a big deal . It ’ s showing your faith in your workplace as an employee .”
As for Patty and Tug , both are back to their normal routine . Destabilization surgery for the rotator cuff injury may be an option for Patty down the road , but for now , physical and medical therapy are keeping her shoulder pain free and mobile , and enabling her to be there for Tug .