EMS
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Death Notification
Death Notification
How much education were you given when it comes to notifying families that their loved ones had died? I'm guessing not much. This image is based on a call I did many years ago when I had to notify the family that their husband and father had died. When we came into the house, they were so happy to see us, and it seemed they were confident we were going to save the day. As we were working, I'm sure the family thought we were going to save him. Nobody was with them to tell them what was happening; nobody informed them that everything was being done that would be done in an ER. Nobody was with them to tell them how serious this event was and to prepare themselves. When we called it, and I told the family their husband and father had "passed on," they were genuinely shocked and absolutely devastated. It was horrible.
Since that call, I've learned a lot about giving death notifications. If I have the resources, I'll make sure someone is with the family to explain what is happening. I'll provide them with the option to stay and observe or go into another room with me. I'll let them know the severity of the situation and that the patient is getting the best care possible. I'll ask them If they would like me to call someone. I'll also tell them to prepare themselves for the worst possible outcome.
My friend Alexandra Jabr is a death, grief and resilience educator and is the founder of Emergency Resilience https://www.emergencyresilience.com/, a service that helps first responders build resilience in unpredictable work environments, including death notifications. Contact her for more information on death notification training.
I really think we should have more education in this area as it makes a significant difference to our patients' families and our own mental well being. Thank you, Krystal, Matthew, Gord, John, Candy, Nevaeh and AHS EMS, for helping me with this one.
Have a safe week, everyone.
Respectfully,
DanSun
Steven Raymond Wilton
on March 15, 2021This really chokes me up. I cam remember so many times that was actually me in that very position as depicted here.. Surrounded by the post chaotic mess of an in home cardiac arrest death.
Like it shows here, its never clean, its never pretty, its messy and when trying to save someone's life.
I would always take time and care, meeting their eyes with mine, and with soft spoken words as I knelt or sat, but never stood delivering quietly the final news that in spite of our efforts your husband, wife, son, friend has died and is dead.
I never minced words I want people to really understand it was over., and I never wanted to leave them in a state of confusion of what if.
I felt that each time I met someone's eyes in this very exacting position I would impart a little of my soul with them.
I can only hope that my very presence at the end, of this most traumatic tim, was compassionate and supportive.
We received literally no training on how to conduct a Death Notification in college, or at work, or during CME's.
We literally flew by the seat of our pants. I remember a police officer saying to me privately after this event, that was so nice the way you spoke and handled the family. I replied that's how I would want someone to treat me...