Bereavement experiences after the unexpected death of an older family member in the emergency department

Clinician’s Corner: Meeting family care needs during resuscitative procedures and cardiac arrest in the emergency department

“…Emergency department staff should support such family requests, especially when they do not disrupt care processes. The experience of being supported by nursing staff to be close to their family member was described by family members as compassionate, ( Jang & Choe, 2019) respectful, (Weslien et al, 2005) supportive, (Maxton, 2008) and empathetic (Carlsson et al, 2022).…”

“…Participating in decision-making with physicians and nurses about the patient's care, including treatment decisions and termination of resuscitation efforts, has been identified as a shared decision-making priority of some families. (Carlsson et al, 2022;Cole et al, 2021;Jang & Choe, 2019;Stewart, 2019)…”

“…The debriefing is not an operational one, (not to reflect on the care processes and identify opportunities for improvement); instead, the purpose of the debriefing is three-fold: i) to address information needs; ii) to address the psycho-emotional needs of the patient and family, and express empathy; and iii) to conclude the care experience with compassion while promoting family self-care. Families have credited debriefing with helping them process the care received ( Jang & Choe, 2019). (Redley et al, 2019).…”

“…Unfortunately, some Emergency Department (ED) patients and families report a lack of psychosocial and emotional caring (Gordon et al, 2010). Many resuscitative processes and procedures have been described as dehumanizing and traumatic for families (De Stefano et al, 2016;Jang & Choe, 2019). Significant negative emotional and physiological impacts may remain after hospitalization for the patient and their loved ones, whether receiving care for medical, (Davidson & Harvey, 2016) trauma, (McGahey-Oakland et al, 2007 or cardiac arrest presentations (Leske et al, 2013).…”