[BSNDec06]

I believe that it is not in the best interest of the patient for the family to be present during the code. At my hospital, the rooms are small as it is. During a code, there are a ton of people in the room, and at least a few of them are the excitable types that feel the need to shout and run. (We don't have many codes, I'm sure if there were more they'd learn to calm down.)
The patient's care could be compromised because the family member is asking questions, getting in the way, or getting worked up themselves (can you blame them?).
The primary objective during a code is to get the patient breathing/heart beating, is it not? There are many other opportunities for the family to be involved in the patient's care without additional stress to both them and the health care team.

[fergus51]

I used to argue that families have every right to be present for a code. Now, after having participated in more of them, I see the problems more clearly. I would not want my family present if I was ever coded. Hopefully my rights to dignity and privacy still outweighs anyone else's rights.

[SmilingBluEyes]

I think it should be their option. Some want to see EVERYthing is being humanly done.

[BabyRN2Be]

Thank you for all of your replies. I'm about half way through and the arguments for/against are very interesting. I'll definitely read more tomorrow when i'm a little more awake.

I wanted to say for now, one of the advocates for families watching a code is that it gives them the chance to say "goodbye" at the moment of death, not after death has been pronounced. My feeling is that at the moment of death, the person is probably not conscious enough to say anything meaningful. As codes are often a messy, gruesome spectacle, I think that it would be just as well for me to say "goodbye" after some cleanup has been done, so I could remember that person sort of as they were, and not being "railed upon" heroically trying to stop the inevitable.

I'm fine with families wanting to watch a code, but if they get in the way and start to run the code, or otherwise become disruptive, I can see how it can be disruptive.

[DusktilDawn]

I have had families outside the room when there has been a code. There were able to see that the staff were doing their best for their family member, however, they were not close enough to see all the "gruesome" details that occur during a code. They also didn't interfere during the code, nor were they asked to leave the area, escorting them elsewhere was not a priority at that time.

I believe most families would want to be near enough to see that something was being done but not be in the room to witness the gory details up close.

The present facility where I work, I cannot imagine family IN THE room during a code with the 10 or more staff +equipment, the rooms are too small at this place.

I would be curious to see some posts where family members have been present and disruptive during a code. This is a situation I can easily see happening, although I believe it would be the exception.

[Gompers]

No, I wouldn't want to watch.

I wouldn't want my last memory of a loved one to be an image of them being coded.

JMHO.


ETA: This is just an answer to the original question - would I want to watch a code. I do feel like it's a personal opinion though, and that it should be allowed if the family wants and doesn't get in the way. I work in the NICU, and parents are encouraged to be at the bedside during a code.
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[Tweety]

I just finished a research paper on this topic. It was a review of literature. The results of most research, that's been done primarily in the ER and ICU is that it's an overwhelming positive experience for family members, and most nurses fears are unfounded. But you're not asking for a debate.

So to answer your question: yes, through sickness and health I would be with my spouse through it all, including codes no matter how ugly. It would give me closure.

Hopefully, I'd see it coming on and make them a DNR. My parents are elderly and have living wills, so we won't have to be subjected to them being in a code.

[bluesky]

Originally Posted by ZASHAGALKA

I also am trying to respectfully disagree. I know your opinion has many supporters and some evidence, even if I believe that such 'evidence' can never be unbiased because it is almost always researched by those looking to support their already reached conclusions.


~faith,
Timothy.

That statement is true about all research.

[DidiRN]

I was always thankful that I never got to see my dad coded when he passed away. Maybe it's okay for some, but I'm darn glad I didn't watch it.

Originally Posted by Gompers

No, I wouldn't want to watch.

I wouldn't want my last memory of a loved one to be an image of them being coded.

JMHO.


ETA: This is just an answer to the original question - would I want to watch a code. I do feel like it's a personal opinion though, and that it should be allowed if the family wants and doesn't get in the way. I work in the NICU, and parents are encouraged to be at the bedside during a code.
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[traumaRUs]

Good debate. In the end, most families want a choice. I work in a large, level one trauma center (inner city with lots of knife and gun club action). Our codes are very calm, organized with the minimum number of people to get the job done: one attending MD, two residents, two-RN's and one tech. Whoever is going to be the support person for the family (Pastoral Care or case manager) assesses the family and their wants/needs. We offer the chance for up to two family members at a time to be presence during CPR. We tell them there is no right or wrong decision, just provide a choice. We escort the family into the room after first speaking with the code team. Then, we stay with the family (we have told them exactly what they will see and hear prior to this). We allow them to touch their loved one - even if only a leg or ankle. In nine years of doing this, I have never seen anyone hysterical or disruptive. When I did my research for family presence - I specifically looked at studies that didn't purport to push family presence and even those studies had no one being disruptive. It all goes back to fully preparing families.