Does Anyone Document NDE's?

[rashana]

Does anyone document or chart patient's Near death experiences? I was just wondering because so much research is being done lately on the follow up experiences and change of perceptions and mental state once someone has an NDE. I'd heard a lot from patients when I worked in the Intensive Care Areas but I never remember charting anything, so I was wondering what goes on now? Thanks, :)

[PetiteOpRN]

Not sure if you mean NDE from the patient's perspective for from a clinical stand point.

The OR where I work has some phenomenal surgeons and wonderful CRNAs. However, there is a reason we have a surgeon nicknamed "the butcher" and most of the nurses would rather bite on a stick than ever be anesthetized in our facility. There are a great many patients who have had surgeon/anesthesia-induced NDEs, but I do not document those because it is a liability. Anesthesia documents, and all I am allowed to write is, "see anesthesia record."

So when the patient wakes up in holding (hopefully), they have no idea that their vital signs were incompatible with life.

[rashana]

I should have been clearer, sorry. I actually meant a patient brought back to life and remembering seeing things or knowing things they couldn't have known. From the patients perspective- an extraordinary event that causes a life change. I understand what you mean, but I meant the naturally occurring state of people whose hearts have stopped and been brought back or those close to death who experience "the light" and then recover.

[mamamerlee, LPN]

My grandmother watched part of her own code, looking down from the ceiling. They kept telling her she was confused, but she was able to quote alot of what was said, and by whom.

I thought it was very interesting, but the docs just brushed it off. Many, many years ago.

[Davey Do]

Wow! What a fascinating topic to bring up, rashana! And, what a way to apply it to your nursing duties: charting the experience.

Of course, we can always chart an objective submission. You know, "Pt. states..." sort of thing.

Speaking both personally and professionally, I have been involved with NDEs.

If you'd like to discuss this subject further, either here on the forums or by PM, I would be very interested. I will, at least, follow this very interesting thread.

Thank you for your enquiry!

[Cat_RN, ASN, BSN, RN]

I'm not sure. My mother watched her own code from up above when she was 43, but I don't know if the nurse documented her recollection.