Critical Incident Stress Debriefing

[traumaRUs]

What is a critical incident? They are typically sudden, powerful events outside the range of ordinary human experiences. There is likely to be a powerful response within those individuals who work in an arena where critical incidents readily occur.

Who should attend? The debriefing should be available to all ER staff: from the housekeeper, tech, nurses and physicians as well as ancillary personnel. The debriefing should occur as soon after the traumatic incident as possible.

We as human beings are just as vulnerable to stress-related problems as the civilian population. However, we (as super calm, efficient and nothing-can-get-to-me ER nurses) don't like to acknowledge it!

If you've experienced an especially stressful event, contact your local CISD team, start one at your facility if one doesn't exist. Here are some resources:

How to start a CISD team:

http://www.pcchap.org/PCMANUEL/Chp%204/chapter4.htm

From: traumatology, volume 9:

http://www.fsu.edu/~trauma/V9/v9i1_911Aftermath.pdf

Lenore Behar article about CISD:

Dr. Lenore Behar - Publications and Articles

American Academy of Experts in Stress:

Providing Critical Incident Stress Debriefing (CISD) to Individuals and Communities in Situational Crisis

[traumaRUs, MSN, APRN]

Good luck with that endeavor - sounds like you will be busy for awhile!

[mactheknife]

I know I will be but that does not mean I can't give you a few ideas. Somewhere in and amongst all the usefull papers I have collected over the years is a list of things to do to help keep perspective. I will find it one day and share it but for now you will have to rely on what I can remember.

1. What you are feelling is normal so know you are not loosing your mind.

2. Take small insignificant decisions. This helps you to remember you are in charge of your own life and destiny.

3. Don't try to drown your feelings with alcohol or drugs.

4. Take 5 min in each day to do something for yourself. Even something small like filling and/or buffing your nails is good.

5. stick to your normal routine. I found that I started to neglect putting on face make up and just forcing myself to resume this helped me start regaining my self esteem.

I have a friend in South Africa who sends me funny jokes via e-mail. I save them for the end of a stressful day and then read or even re read them. It always helps to put life into perspective.

If you want to communicate directly I will send you my work e-mail and then we can exchange private e-mail addresses.