Debrief After Traumatic Events?

[mommy2boysaz]

Do any of you have any examples of good debriefing processes where you work, following staff involvement with traumatic events? What has been helpful and what hasn't? We don't currently have anything in place, but I'd like to change that. I think staff need to have some outlet for their feelings after participating in something traumatic.

Thanks!

[NicuGal, MSN, RN]

We have pastoral care come down and we hash it out, along with how we feel. It is very common for nurses to feel responsible when in fact they aren't. We do this within 2 days of the incident and then have a follow up the next week and more if needed.

[dariah]

One thing that I don't like is that debriefing sessions are often separated into nursing meetings and medical meetings. Not only are we missing out in the chance to learn from each other, I think it leads to the blame game and fosters a "us vs. them" attitude.

[studentnursemon86]

We don't get to have a debriefing. And if there are any questions out nurse manager emails us a week or so later.

I don't agree with this because I feel it is best to go over the details when it is fresh in your memory.

[perfexion, ASN, RN]

We have huddles (which we call jokingly call cuddle time) at least once per shift and after traumatic events. Everyone (nurses, residents, laborists and attendings) is called to the nurse's station and we discuss the case, what went wrong, what could've been done, if anything, to prevent it, and what could be done in the future, if anything, to avoid it. If it is preventable incident, we can expect an in-service or a staff meeting in the coming weeks. Our regular cuddle time huddle is just a brief review of all the patients on the floor, who is stable, who is not, who has complications and what we all need to be aware of. These are usually super short, like 5 minutes, especially when the board is full.