News of Mother's Death Left on Answering Machine

Published

At the LTC facility where I do PRN work a patient died and while she was a DNR her death was rather unexpected. This occurred during the early morning (about 5am) and night shift was still on duty.

When the LPN could not get an answer at the family's home, he left a message on the answering machine that their mother was dead.

Is it just me or is this a major NO-NO!?!?!?!?!?!?

I was kind of appalled when I heard this, apparently others were as well, which is why it is the topic of interest right now.

Specializes in NICU.

So I was telling my aunt this story yesterday, bc she's a grief counseling MSW, and she told me this is how she found out my grandmother died. The doc left a message on her work answering maching that said "I'm sorry I missed you, but I'm leaving on vacation, and I need to tell you that Mom died last night."

She wasn't actually that mad about the message, but the fact that he called her "Mom".

Specializes in Med/Surg, ER, L&D, ICU, OR, Educator.

So, any fall out for the nurse?

Was the family upset about how they got the news? (I would be, but you know how "different" families can be.)

I'd like to know how this played out!

he should of been terminated for that!

Specializes in LTC and MED-SURG.
I know of a case where a young man was hospitalized for a routine surgery. His mother called the hospital to find out how he was doing and the nurse said over the phone, "We're sorry but there were complications after surgery and your son is dead."

On the "upside", as a student, when I hear about nurses and doctors who do things like this and leave death notices on answering machines, etc., I have less fears about being a nurse. I KNOW I can be a nurse, if people like these are nurses.

Specializes in NICU, ER, OR.

Something happened, similar, to my family recently, though not as horrendous, but I think it was a no no.....A 40 yr old family member of mine was admitted to the hospital, double pneumonia. His partner left him when he went up to his room, to get some sleep. He ended up coding and they werent able to bring him back. Very unexpected. The doc CALLED on the phone and told him that he died...shouldnt he have told him to come in, and told him then? I didnt think it was appropriate to let someone hear of a death to someone so close to them and so unexpectadly over the phone......I mean, they coded him for almost 2 hours!!!! Couldnt they have had someone call him and say "his condition has changed, you should come in".what do you guys think?

Specializes in Med/Surg.

*homer simpson voice* DOHHHH!!!! :eek: :banghead: :mad

Specializes in Ante-Intra-Postpartum, Post Gyne.
At the LTC facility where I do PRN work a patient died and while she was a DNR her death was rather unexpected. This occurred during the early morning (about 5am) and night shift was still on duty.

When the LPN could not get an answer at the family's home, he left a message on the answering machine that their mother was dead.

Is it just me or is this a major NO-NO!?!?!?!?!?!?

I was kind of appalled when I heard this, apparently others were as well, which is why it is the topic of interest right now.

Not only is this crule, but a big HIPPA violation. Nurses are supose to be empathtic, would this LPN want news that her mother died, receiving the information on an answering machine??!!

I NEVER leave any information on a answering machine unless I have been unable to reach the patient or any of their emergancy contacts and it is regarding a Pro-time...

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