Baby Deaths

Jennifer, RN · Oct 9, 2009

Those babies and kids linger in my thoughts for a long time. We don't have any formal debriefing on child deaths or serious illnesses, but, thankfully, don't deal with this issue a lot (like pediatric ERs would).

For me, I cry on the way home, drink a beer and thank God my kids are healthy. And, in the morning, I give my kids an extra big hug and kiss.

jayjo · Oct 9, 2009

LilgirlRN,

I undersatnd why you haven't 4gotten that... I'm not a nurse yet, but that saddens me just thnking about that baby growing up without a mother

JoeDEDRN · Oct 16, 2009

I have never really had an issue with any code including pediatrics. From my EMS side I have ran far more than my share of pediatric codes including one day with 3 (two separate pool drownings and a rollover mvc with ejection). I have always looked at it from the stand point that I did not cause the patient to be in their current situation and knowing that the patient had everything tried to improve their condition. Take every class available to further you knowledge with dealing with these cases such as PALS/NALS/APLS/ENPC. When you know there is nothing else that could have been done you will sleep better.

I have been there and done that as well. I think the key thing most of us overlook is that is not about us. It's about the death itself, the fact we are educated, that we can walk this through in our minds and we can acknowledge we did all we could, makes it no better.

It usually has more to do with the patient . Did they remind you of your child/relative/friend's child? Did the reaction of the care giver strike a cord in your mind? What was the circumstances of this death?

We are all very resilient people but the cumulative aspect of parts of our job can be taxing. Never underestimate the small stuff it can be just as significant as the big events. Sometimes you just need to talk and although not everyone has been in your shoes most can relate to a child's death and sometimes that is all it takes.

We all need to take care of ourselves.

LLLLiiiFFEsaveer · Oct 19, 2009

talk
and although not everyone has been in your shoes most can relate to a child's death and sometimes that is all it takes.
We all need to take care of ourselves.

Jesus!

OR NOt!

Right?

This all has to make sense somehow, right? Once all is said and done...

Right?

Jesus!

Christ!!!

Oh! My! God! Children die?

I never signed up for this....

I want 2 B A hermit.....................

JoeDEDRN · Oct 20, 2009

Bad day? :eek:

tewdles, RN · Oct 20, 2009

Brings back memories of one of my many, but perhaps the toughest infant death...3 month old rear facing in the front seat, with a huge depressed skull fracture...terminal trauma infact...caused by the mom's head, she remembered hitting him...sigh

Jennifer, RN · Oct 21, 2009

Brings back memories of one of my many, but perhaps the toughest infant death...3 month old rear facing in the front seat, with a huge depressed skull fracture...terminal trauma infact...caused by the mom's head, she remembered hitting him...sigh

This makes me feel sick to my stomach:crying2:

neonatal_nurse · Oct 21, 2009

Oh my gosh soo many deaths in the NICU. You have to get used to it and still be objective, that's why we nurses should be made of tough stuff. I have seen countless, and it really haunts you, especially when the baby's being resuscitated to no avail, you can almost feel the exhaustion of everyone- doctors, nurses, etc. The thing that makes it harder though is the sound of crying (or howling) of the parents as they are called in. You still have to do your duty, while keeping a straight face to them.

JoeDEDRN · Oct 21, 2009

Oh my gosh soo many deaths in the NICU. You have to get used to it and still be objective, that's why we nurses should be made of tough stuff. I have seen countless, and it really haunts you, especially when the baby's being resuscitated to no avail, you can almost feel the exhaustion of everyone- doctors, nurses, etc. The thing that makes it harder though is the sound of crying (or howling) of the parents as they are called in. You still have to do your duty, while keeping a straight face to them.

A quick question. Does your department offer any critical incident debriefing or specific employee assistance?

PostOpPrincess, BSN, RN · Oct 22, 2009

We had a very sick baby the other day come through for emergency surgery. Sick, sick, sick, sick, sick..requiring transfer to a facility with ECMO.

I haven't slept for a couple of days now..........

tewdles, RN · Oct 22, 2009

Back in the day...the clergy and social workers "hung out" often in our PICU. There were no formal programs. We "played" alot after work...therapeutic drinking or something like that.

JoeDEDRN · Oct 22, 2009

Back in the day...the clergy and social workers "hung out" often in our PICU. There were no formal programs. We "played" alot after work...therapeutic drinking or something like that.

I agree with you 100%.

It is my time to sound like the daynursaurus I used to mock when I was younger and had hair.

Back in the day, all had same shifts, we all came on and left together. We had much more "therapeutic " time with or without alcohol. We had an opportunity to vent, to talk and to hash over the days events. It was neither formal, nor professional.

The point is we spoke and things were talked about. I am not sure if it helped or not. It was good to hear others had the same ideas and feelings. It certainly was more than we do now. Staggered in and out times make these informal gatherings next to impossible. We do have formal debriefings, but with those debriefings come expectations and time constraints. Probably not the best method for those who are less than outgoing with their emotions. I am in no way saying to go out and get blitzed because it is not about the alcohol. I think it is more about the comradery, the time away from work with those that you work with that is the biggest help.