I didn't do NUTHIN', I swear!!!

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I just got a call from the HH nurse on call this weekend, who also happens to be my preceptor. She got a call from the answering service that a woman wanted to talk with a nurse about her husband, and then the woman called back a moment later and said "Never mind, my husband just died."

He was my patient!!! I was treating him for a bedsore, I swear!!! Other than late-stage Alzheimer's, he was fine when I last saw him!!

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Specializes in Geriatrics, Cardiac, ICU.

What caused his death?

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Specializes in LTC, Hospice, Case Management.

Sorry for the unexpected loss of your patient. Remember, late stage alzheimers IS a terminal illness - so not totally unexpected and certainly no blame to you!

I hope to live to an older age and then suddently up and die and suprise everyone.... this will mean that I have not suffered!

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Specializes in Day Surgery, Agency, Cath Lab, LTC/Psych.
"Never mind, my husband just died."

:eek: Oh my.

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Specializes in Community Health, Med-Surg, Home Health.

I am sorry to hear that your client died unexpectedly. But, I don't think it had anything to do with you. I am sure it is shocking and that you are haunted with thoughts of if you missed something in your assessment of him, however, again, I do not believe that it is your fault in any way. I have read too many posts from you to even phantom that you are neglectful; I always saw you as a competent nurse that really cares about your clients. How did your preceptor sound when she reached you? Please keep us posted and try and get some rest.

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Specializes in ICU, Agency, Travel, Pediatric Home Care, LTAC, Su.

Hugs to you Tazzi. I know it is always hard to lose a patient unexpectedly. You will have to keep us posted on what you find out.

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Specializes in Med-Surg.

That's always the nurses line in a code. "He was fine when I checked on him a little while ago."

It can happen like that.

Sorry for the loss of your patient.

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Specializes in ICU.

A little off the subject but, how do you like the HH arena from ER? I am considering it for my future. I am presently in ICU. I am sorry to hear about your patient...

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Specializes in Med/Surg, Ortho.

Sometimes fatal cardiac and vascular problems dont announce themselves, they just happen. By the grace of god he wont have to go back to the Alzheimers wing, his wife wont have to visit him just to have him not know her or think she is an old neighbor. She wont have to spend her days worrying whether he has eaten at least one meal instead of being taken to a table to wait for his turn to get another bit of a meal. And most of all he didnt suffer.

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By the grace of god he wont have to go back to the Alzheimers wing, his wife wont have to visit him just to have him not know her or think she is an old neighbor. She wont have to spend her days worrying whether he has eaten at least one meal instead of being taken to a table to wait for his turn to get another bit of a meal. And most of all he didnt suffer.

:yeahthat:

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Specializes in Peds Critical Care, Dialysis, General.
Sorry for the unexpected loss of your patient. Remember, late stage alzheimers IS a terminal illness - so not totally unexpected and certainly no blame to you!

I hope to live to an older age and then suddently up and die and suprise everyone.... this will mean that I have not suffered!

:yeahthat:

{{{Hugs}}} Somehow, death always comes as a surprise, even when we know it's coming.

My thoughts are with you.

Cindy

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Specializes in home health, peds, case management.

ditto to what everyone else said...he had a terminal illness...you didnt "do" anything but make his last days better....

i remember how difficult it is to lose a pt in hh...

heck...i'm doing telephonic cm and i still tear up when i hear that one of my members has passed...

i'm not gonna tell you it gets any easier....but you will find ways to cope.

i often make a call to the family or send a card to extend my sympathies.

i can see that you've still got your sense of humor about you....nuttin wrong with that....

hugs to you tazzi

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