Palliative Care in Emergency Medicine by Tammie E. Quest

Author:Tammie E. Quest
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Oxford University Press
Published: 2023-08-15T00:00:00+00:00

Box 11.1 Factors for Success in Family Witnessed Resuscitation

• Family witnessed resuscitation as an option

• Family member screening

• Family support person

• Family witnessed resuscitation policy and protocol

• Staff education and training

• Debriefing

FWR should be always be presented to families as an option, and it is important that family members are given the choice to accept or decline this opportunity. Some individuals will prefer not to be present during resuscitation activities of their loved one, and this choice should be accepted and supported.

All family members should be screened. Before family members are given the option for FWR, they should be screened by an experienced member of the ED staff (e.g., nursing, social work) for emotional instability, combative behavior, intoxication, or altered mental status. If these elements are evident, family members should be excluded from FWR.

There should always be a family support person. A member of the ED staff should be assigned to support the family during FWR and should remain with them throughout their experience. This family support person should be familiar with typical resuscitation activities so that they can provide families with explanations and clarifications as desired. In addition, they should help the family to know where they can stand so that they do not interfere with care delivery but have the opportunity for contact with the patient when possible and desired. Last, the family support person should be prepared to support a healthy process of grief and bereavement for the family.

There should be a FWR policy and protocol in place. An established departmental policy and accompanying protocol for FWR are essential to ensure that expectations, procedures, and responsibilities are clear for all participating staff in the acute setting of resuscitation (Box 11.2).

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