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CS313
Caring Practices: Family Presence during Resuscitation in the PICU
By: Laura Hagan; Sinai Hospital of Baltimore, Baltimore, MD
For further information, please contact: lhagan@lifebridgehealth.org
Purpose: The literature clearly demonstrates that families want to be present during the resuscitation of a loved one. Family members have reported that there was a decrease in anxiety in knowing that everything was done and that if the loved one died there was a sense of closure. In the PICU, family members are given the option of being present during the resuscitation of their child.
Description: The Clinical Practice Guidelines for Support of the Family in the Patient-Centered Intensive Care Unit recommend that institutions develop a process to allow the presence of family members during resuscitation of a loved one. During resuscitation in the PICU, parents often choose not to leave their child’s bedside or ask to be present if they have not been at the bedside when the child deteriorated. Consistent with the PICU’s philosophy of family-centered care, parents are supported in this request. There has not always been a liaison available to stay with the parents, however, a member of the nursing staff, social work, or child life will answer any questions that may arise during the process. A member of the team who is available will provide support during the resuscitation and stay with the parents. If the child dies, parents are able to be with their child immediately and are comforted by the staff who participated in the resuscitation. Parents have never interfered with resuscitation attempts not has the resuscitation been prolonged because of family presence. All members of the PICU team support the presence of parents during resuscitation. This was reinforced following a recent sudden death of a child in the PICU. During the eulogy, the father read the names of every staff member that was involved in the care of his daughter and thanked them for the care that was provided to her and to the family.
Evaluation and Outcomes: Parents have reported to staff that they feel everything was done for their child, which has provided some comfort during the grief process. Based on this feedback, this practice continues in the PICU. An evidence-based guideline highlighting the important role of the nurse in orchestrating death is currently under development based on actual experiences.
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