Hospital Deaths
Children dying in the hospital of terminal illnesses who are receiving supportive care interventions will experience a similar process. Again and increased nursing presence and attendance to the child and family’s needs provide comfort and support for many families. Death resulting from accident, trauma, or acute illness in settings such as the emergency department or intensive care unit often requires the active withdrawal of some form of life-supporting intervention, such as a ventilator or bypass machine. These situations often raise difficult ethical issues (Sine et al, 2001), and parents are often less prepared for the actual moment of death. Nurses can assist these parents by providing detailed information about what will happen as supportive equipment is withdrawn, ensuring that appropriate pain medications are administered to prevent pain during the dying process, and allowing the parents time before the start of the withdrawal to be with and speak to their child. It is important that the nurse attempt to control the environment around the family at this time by providing privacy, asking if they would like to play music, softening lights and monitor noises, and arranging for any religious or cultural rituals that the family may went performed. After the child's death, the family should be allowed to remain with the body and hold or rock the child if they desire. After the nurse has removed all tubes and equipment from the body, parents should be given the option of assisting with the preparation of the body, such as bathing and dressing. If is important for the nurse to determine whether the family has any specific needs, since many cultures have adopted specific methods for coping with and mourning death and impeding these practices may interfere with the grieving process (Clements et al, 2003)