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A Calgary hospital has decided to allow families to be present during resuscitation attempts, amid growing evidence that relatives benefit by being allowed to witness what may be the last moments of their loved one’s life — and concerns of the conflicts that could inevitably rise.
“When the family’s not there they often ask a lot of questions like, ‘Did you do this, did you do that, how come you weren’t able to save my family member,'” said Dr. Colin Del Castilho, an ER physician and medical director at the hospital.
“Whereas when they’re there they are able to say, ‘Ya, I saw they did everything they could and they probably did more than they needed to do.’ So it just helps them get that sense of closure.”
Lisa Lazenby got to experience the hospital’s philosophy when her two-month-old son Abel had a seizure.
As doctors worked to save Abel, she was encouraged to stay by his side.
“It was pretty chaotic. I was in shock and afraid,” she said.
“I was just kind of up near the top, kind of singing and kissing his head.”
Hospital manager Joanne Ganton says hearing a familiar voice, or feeling a recognizable touch, can be helpful and reassuring to both the family and patient.
Lazenby’s son is now a happy toddler, and she says the experience changed how she looks at the health-care system.
“I wasn’t just a bystander,” she said. “I was who he needed and I needed him. They made me part of the team.”
Agencies/Canadajournal
