Thoughts on patient vigil programs

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Specializes in Telemetry/ICU/CCU.

I was wondering if anyone had any feedback regarding patient vigil programs, the most notible of these was first started in oregon at Sacred Heart hospital. Commonly referred to as "no one dies alone" or NODA programs, these are intended to provide volunteer companionship for patients who have no family at the end of their lives (last 72 hours of life, typically). I think it sounds like a wonderful program and I'm going to be persuing starting a program at my facility. Thoughts? Opinions? Experiences?

RN Magazine had a very well written article on the subject if there is anyone interested:

http://rn.modernmedicine.com/rnweb/Modern+Medicine+Now/Will-you-stay-with-me-The-No-One-Dies-Alone-progra/ArticleStandard/Article/detail/602013

Anyone know of any other articles regarding the topic? Evidenced based articles?

Thanks so much!

Lari

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Specializes in med/surg , hospice and oncology.

I wish our hospital would adopt this into their system. Being a Hospice/Oncology nurse I try my best to be in the room as much as possible when a patient (with no family) is actively dying. My heart aches when I know that a patient passed away without someone holding their hand or providing comforting words.

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Specializes in med/surg , hospice and oncology.

My heart is really speaking to me to initiate this program where I work. I would have never known that their was such a program if you hadn't posted. Thanks!

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