Death of a Child in the ED ENA/AAP/ACEP Joint Position Statement-Death of a Child in the ED ENA/AAP/ACEP Joint Position Statement

Pdf Summary

The American Academy of Pediatrics, American College of Emergency Physicians, and Emergency Nurses Association have issued a policy statement on the death of a child in the emergency department (ED). This revised statement expands on a previous statement from 2002 and includes emergency nursing. The death of a child in the ED is an uncommon and challenging event, with emotional, cultural, procedural, and legal complexities. The statement provides guidelines for the care of children, families, and staff during this difficult time.<br /><br />The policy statement supports several principles, including the use of a patient-centered, family-focused, and team-oriented approach to care. It emphasizes the importance of providing personal, compassionate, and individualized support to families while respecting their social, spiritual, and cultural diversity. The statement also highlights the need for effective, timely, attentive, and sensitive palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions and anticipated death presenting to the ED.<br /><br />The policy encourages clarification with families regarding the child’s medical home and prompt notification of the child’s primary care provider and appropriate subspecialty providers in the event of a death. It also advocates for the development of written protocols for different scenarios related to a child’s death in the ED, such as family member presence during resuscitation, end-of-life care, collaboration with law enforcement, and procedures involving the newly deceased.<br /><br />The statement highlights the importance of education and training for healthcare providers in managing the challenges related to the death of a child in the ED. It emphasizes the need for supporting family members of the patient and offers resources for bereavement care services. The policy also recommends supporting child death review activities to understand the causes of preventable child deaths.<br /><br />Overall, the policy statement provides a comprehensive and collaborative approach to addressing the death of a child in the ED, emphasizing the importance of compassionate care, effective communication, and support for families and healthcare providers.

Meta Tag

death pediatric

death resuscitation

death ethical

death family presence

death infant

death organ

death autopsy

death forensic

death bereavement

Keywords

American Academy of Pediatrics

American College of Emergency Physicians

Emergency Nurses Association

policy statement

death of a child

emergency department

patient-centered care

palliative care

family support

child death review