Ideas.../ EMT Class.../ Homework.../ Game? IDK

Guitarplaya84

Guitarplaya84

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ok so unfortunately i am taking my EMTb again... long story for another day... this time around the class is even more fun than i remember, and more challenging. NeWay, i need some help on my homework, and thought maybe you guys can help me while kinda making a game outta it. i need a list of 10 things that you can offer to do, or do to assist a family that just lost there infant in the grieving process... i.e. call there religious leader... ect. i can only think or like 3 so any help will be great... oh yeah i need it by tuesday night lol. thnx!!!
 
If not suspicious death:

1. Let them hold the baby in a quiet setting
2. Offer to make phone calls
3. Talk sincerely, no jokes no comments about you can have more, he is in a better place,blah blah blah...just a sincere I am sorry for your loss is there anything I can do?
4. Give them privacy and let them grieve
5. As gruesome as it may seem, I had one mother ask to take a picture of her and the baby one last time, before he went through the embalming process.


That is all I got at the moment. In real life, you play it case by case.
 
Hey now.... us giving you the answers - wouldn't that be like cheating? ;)
 
What would you do if you werent in this profession, and someone in your family or circle of friends lost an infant ? You can still do most of those things as an EMS professional. Why cant you or your station:

Send flowers or a card?
Deliver food ?
Attend the funeral ?
Check up on them in a weeks time to see how they are doing.
Start a foundation, award, or scholarship in the child's memory or for their cause of death (SIDS, trauma, Disease).

You will have many more opportunities to "TOUCH" a life, than you will to SAVE a life in this profession (if you opt too).
 
crotchitymedic1986 said:
What would you do if you werent in this profession, and someone in your family or circle of friends lost an infant ? You can still do most of those things as an EMS professional. Why cant you or your station:

Send flowers or a card?
Deliver food ?
Attend the funeral ?
Check up on them in a weeks time to see how they are doing.
Start a foundation, award, or scholarship in the child's memory or for their cause of death (SIDS, trauma, Disease).

You will have many more opportunities to "TOUCH" a life, than you will to SAVE a life in this profession (if you opt too).
Click to expand...

I think on a lot of those, HIPAA might have something to say. May sound harsh here, but they're not your friend (obviously if they are it's a different thing). I'm sure they wouldn't expect or want you at a funeral.

I've only ever gone to one funeral for a patient, and she was a long time Home to Dialysis patient who most of the staff got close too. Really nice lady, our presence at the funeral was appreciated as we had had an impact on her and her familys life.

But a 1 time call... I don't think so!
 
HIPPAA does not prevent any of the activities I suggested. Obvioulsy you would need the parents permission to start a foundation or to do something in the child's name.

If you would feel uncomfortable at the funeral, dont go. But in small town EMS, it has always been greatly appreciated. It shows the public that you care, and that the patient was not just a statistic to you.
 
imurphy said:
I think on a lot of those, HIPAA might have something to say. May sound harsh here, but they're not your friend (obviously if they are it's a different thing). I'm sure they wouldn't expect or want you at a funeral.

I've only ever gone to one funeral for a patient, and she was a long time Home to Dialysis patient who most of the staff got close too. Really nice lady, our presence at the funeral was appreciated as we had had an impact on her and her familys life.

But a 1 time call... I don't think so!
Click to expand...

I agree going to a funeral may be a bit much but I don't think it would be HIPAA violation to send cards or flowers or check on them after a couple weeks. Don't you ever check to see how a patient is doing in the hospital after you've dropped them off? Or popped your head into their room when you're in the ER later that night? Essentially it's the same thing since they had become your patients when the infant had died.

I pop in and check in on my patients if I'm on the same floor of the hospital or the same hall in the nursing home.
 
crotchitymedic1986 said:
HIPPAA does not prevent any of the activities I suggested. Obvioulsy you would need the parents permission to start a foundation or to do something in the child's name.

If you would feel uncomfortable at the funeral, dont go. But in small town EMS, it has always been greatly appreciated. It shows the public that you care, and that the patient was not just a statistic to you.
Click to expand...

You would also need the permission of your agency, unless its done as a private citizen. You'ld be amazed at the amount of paperwork involved in setting up a fund like that.
 
crotchitymedic1986 said:
HIPPAA does not prevent any of the activities I suggested. Obvioulsy you would need the parents permission to start a foundation or to do something in the child's name.

If you would feel uncomfortable at the funeral, dont go. But in small town EMS, it has always been greatly appreciated. It shows the public that you care, and that the patient was not just a statistic to you.
Click to expand...

for once i think i will have to agree on this statement. My town is close knit. Most of these people have known me since i was in pampers. our squad goes to many funerals, it helps the family. most cases we were there when the person pasted so we went thru some of the same emotions as the family. But if you are from a bigger town i can see how this would be inapprop.
 
Guitarplaya84 said:
ok so unfortunately i am taking my EMTb again... long story for another day... this time around the class is even more fun than i remember, and more challenging. NeWay, i need some help on my homework, and thought maybe you guys can help me while kinda making a game outta it. i need a list of 10 things that you can offer to do, or do to assist a family that just lost there infant in the grieving process... i.e. call there religious leader... ect. i can only think or like 3 so any help will be great... oh yeah i need it by tuesday night lol. thnx!!!
Click to expand...

Wouldn't hurt to specify wich stage of grieving process. I would assume denial...not much you can do there, any of you reminding them that the child is dead or upcoming funeral would cause more pain. Was death accidental? I wouldn't let relatives hold a baby, you wouldn't want to get sued for potential loss of evidence. thats my personal opinion, correct me if im wrong...
 
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