writing a letter to deceased patient's foster family

[anon456, BSN, RN]

I work on a sad unit where we have many peds patients whose parents have lost custody for various reasons. One patient was with us for many months. During that time they transformed from a scared, withdrawn, sad little thing to a smiling and interactive sweetie. They had a lot of medical issues and went home to medical foster care. A couple of weeks ago we got a nice note from the foster family that the child had passed away from the medical issues. Through an official email by our unit manager, the family invited the staff to attend a memorial at their house. We didn't get notice of it until 24 hours before the memorial was to occur, and it was between two night shifts so I could not attend. I want to send them a note of comfort, as they shared their address with us, but not sure if this is okay. I was not planning to mention any medical information and just talk about how we enjoyed caring for the patient and how sweet they were. I still don't know if this is okay since I would be mentioning the patient's first name.

And while we are on the subject, how do you all feel about attending funerals/memorials of deceased patients?

[liebling5, MSN, RN]

In my opinion, this would not be a HIPAA issue. The patient's foster family sent notice to your unit that the child had died. Sending a note to the family is not a HIPAA violation. You are not disclosing any of the child's health information. You are simply expressing your condolences.

I've attended funerals/memorials of several patients. It was a way to publicly acknowledge that the patient had an impact on my life, much like I hope that I had an impact on theirs.

[SHGR, MSN, RN, CNS]

I've occasionally attended visitations for patients that I've become close to. By all means send a card to acknowledge the foster family. You can use the facility's address as the return address if you like.

[KelRN215, BSN, RN]

I don't see any HIPAA issue. The family knows what their child's name was and they know that he/she died. You're not going to be disclosing any information to them that they don't already know and in all similar cases that I've dealt with, foster families were allowed to receive medical information on the child, they just couldn't sign consent (the state had to do that).

I've attended funerals/memorials for many of my patients.

[Esme12, ASN, BSN, RN]

I have attended services for a few patients over the years and I have sent condolence cards as well. It is fine.

[PatchycatRN, BSN]

I think it would be a very kind, thoughtful gesture for you to send a note of sympathy along to the foster family.

[ArtClassRN, ADN, RN]

And while we are on the subject, how do you all feel about attending funerals/memorials of deceased patients?

I have been to exactly one former patients' funeral and that is because I became a close friend of the patient and family during my days as a CNA and volunteer in a SNF.

But that's it. Otherwise I only attend funerals of friends or family. Not patients. Not that I couldn't or shouldn't; I simply choose not to.