TBI Facility - Too Much False Hope

[texastaz]

One of my recent assignments has been at a TBI - Traumatic Brain Injury facility. It is very nice, the staff is fantastic and the patient ratio is 3-4 patients. The majority of patients were injured during car accidents - by others or being a passenger - being a victim of DWI. Others have simply had sports accidents and so forth. The facility functions completley on donations. It promotes how better care also promotes the possibility of recovery. The possibilities are so slim - although there have been some success stories of not complete recovery - but truley it has changed the lives of a few. I love working at this facility - and I love working with the patients but I feel like the facility provides false hope to so many people. I also feel that even if it is only one out of thausand that it is a success it is worth it. It breaks my heart. Does anyone-else feel like this hopeing-holding on to the possibility of hope for improvement with long term patients that have basicly been written off that there is actualy no help left. I know the chances are just about zero yet, but I do feel enviorment and great care can make a difference - still I feel torn. I tell myself the few are worth it - however I feel torn and heart broken that false hope is given. How do I dismiss these feelings - and have a better outlook? This is not my first time working in such a facility - I just feel like it is too heartbreaking-the false hope makes me angry and I hate to admit I think my attitude makes me not cut out for it.

[jb2u, ASN, RN]

I do not really see false hope. Although, I do not know the full story. I say that if you really do love working there, then do it. Look for the one in a thousand. And when you find him or her, keep the image in your head for the next 999. I do not believe in taking hope from anyone, as I've told many patients' family members in the ICU. I've seen doctors tell a patient's family that their family member WILL NOT make it, only to have the patient make a full recovery!! I've also seen family sit at the bedside of a loved one that is brain dead and not understand that the vent is breathing for them and that the meds are keeping his/her bp up and heart beating. Sometimes...hope is all they have.