My patient died today

Published

Specializes in Anesthesia, ICU, PCU.

He was 84. He came in with a long list of problems, but sepsis was the big one. His pressure tanked suddenly, but we couldn't bolus too aggressively 2/2 CHF. By the time we got pressors he brady'd down and lost his pulse. We coded him for 25 hopeless minutes, got PEA, but never got ROSC. It was the first patient I ever had die in my 22 months of nursing. I am pretty burdened by the whole situation and felt I had to put it somewhere. Thanks.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.

I'm sure you did everything you possibly could! Remember when it's your time, it's your time and there is nothing we can do about that. Mourn his loss tonight, say a prayer for his family, and go in tomorrow and give it your all again. Hugs!!!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It's hard. Hopefully he had lived a good life.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Case mgmt., rehab, (CRRN), LTC & psych.

I'm so sorry for the loss of your patient.

Death is a natural, appropriate end to the circle of life. The chances of successfully resuscitating an 84-year-old patient are slim to none. May this patient rest in peace.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute Care, Rehab, Palliative.

This always difficult. It sounds like you did all you could. Why would a patient that was this ill be a full code?

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Oncology.

You've made it nearly 2 years without having a patient die?

This patient would not have gone on to lead a happy life had you gotten him back. Sometimes the best outcome is having someone pass. At 84 he's lived a long life. It's always hard, though, to lose a patient.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Management, Med/Surg, Clinical Trainer.

Death is hard. It sounds like you did all you could do for the patient.

At the end of the day what you take away is the value you added to the patients last moments here. That value added happened before he tanked with the BP and the rest of he tasks that followed.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in ICU.
This always difficult. It sounds like you did all you could. Why would a patient that was this ill be a full code?

Whoa! Common sense!

Sorry, couldn't help myself.

OP, losing someone is always hard. You clearly did everything you could. Blondy2061h is absolutely right that death is sometimes the best outcome. I believe that's probably true in this case. At least you know his suffering is over.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Sorry to hear that man, we all have to go sometime and everyone has their mortality.

In the ICU death is all too common unfortunately but you get hardened to it after a while Once in a while some deaths do not sit right.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Thank you so much for sharing this with us. And for putting it out there somewhere. To process a loss is difficult. So please be sure that you make a giant stop sign in your head every time you get the urge to re-think and re-play. Everyone did what they could, as sepsis is a nasty thing that doesn't always turn out the way we hope.

Please take advantage of any debriefing that is done for this case. It can help you to deal with loss.

Sending thoughts and light...

Up Vote Up Vote ×

I'm sorry, TU RN.

I will never forget my first code that ended on the other side of the mountain. Never. I am so sorry.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Family Nurse Practitioner.

It is hard. May he rest in peace.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion