dr tricia scott phd cert ed rgn rmn senior lecturer – emergency care research lead centre for...
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Dr Tricia Scott PhD Cert Ed RGN RMNSenior Lecturer – Emergency Care Research LeadCentre for Research in Primary and Community CareUniversity of [email protected]
Assess the relative’s knowledge of the events leading up to the sudden death
Select appropriate terminology when giving bad news
Express genuine condolence to the relative
Recognise the reaction of the relative following communication of the sudden death message
Respond effectively to the reaction of the relative following communication of the sudden death message
Agree to reflect on personal encounters with SD in the emergency setting
Share information about these encounters
Remember the confidential nature of the information
Engage in open and honest discussion
Open door policy
Think of a sudden death encounter
where you were involved
in caring for grieving relatives
Write a few phrases or comments on
how much information relatives had about
what had happened to their loved one
Write notes on some words or phrases that
you might use when
talking with suddenly bereaved relatives
“I’m so sorry”
Explain the physiological changes
“Death, dying dead”
“We’ve lost him”
“Gone to a better place”
“Fought hard and lost the battle”
“Is there any way that I can help you?”
AnnouncingClinical equipmentTissue donationThe condition of the bodyPost mortem criteriaRecording and handing over propertyReligion and spiritualityDeath certification
DenialWithdrawalAngerAcceptanceIsolationBargainingCrying, sobbing weeping
Which do you think is
the most difficult to manage?
Which do you think is
the least difficult to manage?
As a carer it is sometimes difficult to separate personal feelings when intense emotions are being displayed
Carers need to be provided with opportunities for reflection, catharsis and space to calm their emotionally aroused state following contact with bereaved relatives
Wright, B. (1988) Sudden death: intervention skillsfor the caring professions, London, Churchill.
What opportunities did you have to talk about the death(s)?
How did you respond?
Were you able to meet your own emotional needs afterwards?
Make a list of
ten professional qualities
that you possess
From this list identify your strengths
when supporting distressed relatives
From this list identify
the qualities that you feel you need to develop
when supporting distressed relatives
Non-judgemental attitudeCaring human contactSensitivity to their deep painWarmthCompassionCompetence
Jones, and Buttery, M (1981) Sudden death: survivors’perceptions of their emergency department experience.
Journal of Emergency Nursing 7(1): 14-17
Most helpful:
Dealing with the family promptly on arrival
2nd Providing a room for the family to use
22nd Providing comfort measures (tea)
23rd Allowing viewing of the body in the ED
Therapeutic use of ‘self’
Engaging - not being in a hurry
Going that extra mile
Offering words of comfort
Therapeutic silence (being there)
Delve deep into our own psyche
Experiencing their pain
Allowing words to emerge from silence
“Acknowledges the existence of a group ofunfortunate people who, when they
walk through the emergency department doors,are about to experience a
defining moment in their lives due to thehorror of what is about to be shared…”
“Unexpectedly they become our newest patients.
The question we must ask ourselves is,
“Are we prepared for them?”
(Iserson, 2000, p.75)
Thank you