Family Witnessing Code Activities

Published

  1. Would You Want to Watch a Family Member Undergoing a Code>?

    • 125
      Yes, I want to see all that was done.
    • 178
      No, I wouldn't want to see a family member go through that type of pain.
    • 51
      Unsure at this time.

354 members have participated

With the new changes in allowing family members to witness code activities, would you want to watch your family member go through a code? I've heard this is done so that the family knows that the staff did all they could do, and to take the mystery out of codes. But would you want to watch a family member go through the pain of a code and all that it entails? What do you think?

I would. Not because I would like to watch, but because I would like to be there with them. If any stranger (health care worker) was to separate me from my loved one in such a time, I would go absolutely ballistic and would not allow it. I know that for sure.

And if I get hysterical, please let me. Make sure I and everyone else is safe, support me and comfort me, let me stand in the corner somewhere, if you must, but please provide me the curtesy... It's my loved one who's dying, not yours.

I've been involved in codes, I know how ugly they can be and I know the impact on the pt. That's exactly why I wouldn't leave.

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Specializes in LTC, sub-acute, urology, gastro.

I too would not want a family member present if I coded & I'm going to specify this in my living will if this is going to be an option now. I personally do not think it's the place for closure, & can't see what good it would be to have a family member present to witness this ugly chaotic scene - I also hate to mention the laibility here. Please, just my opinion...

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I would NOT want to be there during a code, but would want to be there right after a code. I would think a family member being there or not should be up to them and how/if they interfere with the code. If interferring, they should leave.

We all know how codes are, but I don't think it's right to presume another family would be the same as me. I would support allowing them during a code not because they can see that all is done, but just because it is their right.

There was a patient in ICU that the family refused to make a no code, she was coded and came back on an average of 3 times a day. After the third day, they let the family stay and witness the code. They all finally agreed to make her no code and she died peacefully that day.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
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Siri, you said you did a thesis on this topic. Can you quote a study w/ a significant statistical population?

~faith,

Timothy.

No, not I. Mine was another topic. traumaRUs was the one who did the thesis on this topic.

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Specializes in Critical Care.
No, not I. Mine was another topic. traumaRUs was the one who did the thesis on this topic.

I realized that after I posted. Sorry.

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in Education, FP, LNC, Forensics, ED, OB.
I realized that after I posted. Sorry.

~faith,

Timothy.

No problem.

Good debate here. :balloons:

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Specializes in ORTHOPAEDICS-CERTIFIED SINCE 89.

I admit I haven't read all of the comments but I voted yes for personal reasons. My FIL died in a strange hospital, with no one he knew. He had a bad heart, his cardiologist was right on top of things. At the final heart attack ,the EMS made the appropriate decision to go to a closer facility, and by the time the family was turned around and directed to the new hospital, he was gone. I doubt the outcome would have been different. BUT we would have been with him. I could have explained to the best of my ability to my dear MIL. There is a vacant spot in my heart still.

Now 20+ years later my MIL was in the hospital for like the 50th time for sepsis, Parkinson's, diabetes etc. Her daughter didn't want her mama "starved" so tube feeding for 4 years. I wanted to be there because enough was enough. SIL wanted mom aware so didn't want her sedated.

Oh I made an a** out of myself, but she rested easily the last 24h of her life with q 1h MS. Yes I would want to be there...no matter what the outcome. This is speaking as a nurse. If a family member is allowed near and not isolated in the hall or waiting room I believe will bring that overused word "closure." I would.

My MIL finally is at rest. She passed away Aug 4. I took a long time to reconcile losing my FIL. Now all that is left is my own Mama...I will be there and no one needs to try to keep me away.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Personally, I would not want to witness a resusitation on someone that I loved. It's usually messy, stressful, and crowded with staff. If my loved one was elderly and had numerous medical problems, they and I would not want them "resusitated". I would want to be there to comfort them and let them go with dignity which is how my 90 year old grandmother went. She was surrounded by the nursing home staff that cared for her and my mom and dad. I remember her as she was and not being pounded on during a resusitation.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

I was having a conversation with a nurse friend of mine, about this topic, and we stumbled on another potential negative consequence of this debate.

If, 20 yrs from now, FP during a code becomes a 'standard' coping measure for closure, then how will that affect DNR status? If a patient is DNR, then that deprives family members of this 'needed' closure.

So of course I don't want mamma to be DNR, I need the closure of seeing her coded.

I wouldn't discount this as highly unlikely. The decisions we make EVERYDAY are filled with unintended consequences. And the idea of what is acceptable and what isn't changes drastically over the years.

You can bet the producers of the "I Love Lucy" show never imagined prime time TV today when they put up separate beds as props. . .

~faith,

Timothy.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

Timothy, there are no studies that I'm aware of that have been done with significant portions of the population. Which of course makes the existing research biased because of sampling. I still think the studies are important and instead of need of being dismissed, the results should encourage further research or trials of FP in different hospitals and settings.

FP isn't only about "closure". But since you mention it, it is important in traumatic unexpected deaths more than those with a DNR. As FP has increased this past decade, so has the movement towards DNR, hospice care, etc. Even more so now with the Terry Shaivo case.

A long time ago people weren't told they were dying. Families were deprived of the honor of helping and being with their loved ones during DNR deaths.

I'm just not seeing that as FP has increased that DNR deaths have decreased so the families can have closure. Most people decide on DNR's based on what they believe their loved one's want, to stop futile treatment and to end suffering. Selfish thoughts of their need for closure don't enter into......usually. Although selfish thoughts of "I want to keep momma around because I don't want to let go" are common.

We have a chance to begin closure when a death is expected. For some, not all, being present at an unexpected death brings home the reality that the death occurred, that all was done to prevent it, and healing can begin.

Yes, if you ask nurses they are against the idea of family presence. That is well documented. But if you examine the reasons they give, verses the reality of those who are present during codes, some of them are unfounded. Some of them of course are validated. As I've said before, we can all come up with instances of family presence gone wrong.

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Timothy, there are no studies that I'm aware of that have been done with significant portions of the population. Which of course makes the existing research biased because of sampling. I still think the studies are important and instead of need of being dismissed, the results should encourage further research or trials of FP in different hospitals and settings.

FP isn't only about "closure". But since you mention it, it is important in traumatic unexpected deaths more than those with a DNR. As FP has increased this past decade, so has the movement towards DNR, hospice care, etc. Even more so now with the Terry Shaivo case.

A long time ago people weren't told they were dying. Families were deprived of the honor of helping and being with their loved ones during DNR deaths.

I'm just not seeing that as FP has increased that DNR deaths have decreased so the families can have closure.

We have a chance to begin closure when a death is expected. For some, not all, being present at an unexpected death brings home the reality that the death occurred, that all was done to prevent it, and healing can begin.

Yes, if you ask nurses they are against the idea of family presence. That is well documented. But if you examine the reasons they give, verses the reality of those who are present during codes, some of them are unfounded. Some of them of course are validated.

It has been my observation that most who oppose, oppose it on a personal level. And do not take into consideration the ramifications of a planned family member being present. And the understanding of a family member of the restrictions placed on him/her. It should be a family member's decision.

Grannynurse :balloons:

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Specializes in Critical Care.
I'm just not seeing that as FP has increased that DNR deaths have decreased so the families can have closure.

I don't mean now, but in say 20 yrs, if this becomes a standard, that people EXPECT to be present in codes. How will that affect DNRs when FP becomes a standard?

If we start teaching that FP is a wonderful 'closure' technique, might it also encourage the use of the technique, over other options?

~faith,

Timothy.

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