Question for those in the medical professions.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 2:56 pm

I know this is a rather strange question .......well it's not really because it's all about life and such.

but how long are spouses and family allowed to sit with a dead relative in hospital before they are asked to leave so the nurses etc. can do their job.......you know clean up etc. And does it alter if the dead person is a child?

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:13 pm

fuzzywuzzy;1227007 wrote: And does it alter if the dead person is a child?I really don't know other than the time we sat with ours. I think it all depends on the individual hospital. With the lost babies and children with us we were allowed to visit them right up to the day of funeral in the chapel of rest.

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:15 pm

I'm thinking more of after turning themachines off etc.

I'm actually quite serious about this question .

Post by **Oscar Namechange** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:19 pm

fuzzywuzzy;1227022 wrote: I'm thinking more of after turning themachines off etc.

I'm actually quite serious about this question .
Raven is a nurse on here and she may spot the thread. I have 2 sisters who are staff nurses in A & E and thy have seen this a lot. I'm sure they are both on nights as we speak but if you don't get any help, I'll phone them tomorrow and ask for you :-6

Post by **Betty Boop** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 3:20 pm

fuzzywuzzy;1227022 wrote: I'm thinking more of after turning themachines off etc.

I'm actually quite serious about this question .

I would imagine they would be looking to sort things out as soon as possible. Seems incredibly heartless but they would be looking to have the equipment etc turned around and ready for the next emergency.

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:00 pm

I'm sure it depends on where the patient died in the Hospital Trauma, ER or in a room on a floor. Each area would have their own guidelines on this I would think. I know it is allowed in all areas but there is a timing factor depending on the flow of patients at the time. Keeping in mind that the Trauma, and ER would be busy places and they would probably have the shortest amount of time before they would have to move the deceased out to the morgue for processing.

Nomad · Post by **Nomad** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 7:05 pm

I have no experience in this arena.

I should think a stern look would suffice in getting them to back off until your ready.

Lon · Post by **Lon** » Fri Aug 07, 2009 9:03 pm

My wife is a retired RN, CNM and one of our daughters is an RN. They tell me there is no set time and that most people leave voluntarily within an hour or so, if not, they would tactfully be told it best to leave.

Kathy Ellen · Post by **Kathy Ellen** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:13 am

What Lon said Mags. When my parents passed, we stayed about an hour to say our good-bys, and then went elsewhere to grieve.

Here's a link to what usually happens in my area...

Things to Do After Someone Dies

lou lou belle · Post by **lou lou belle** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:29 am

Kathy Ellen;1227127 wrote: What Lon said Mags. When my parents passed, we stayed about an hour to say our good-bys, and then went elsewhere to grieve.

Here's a link to what usually happens in my area...

Things to Do After Someone Dies

My friend is a prem nurse, you are able to stay as long as you want with your baby. I know that people also take photos of the baby as a keep sake. Which must be so difficult for them.

Post by **Betty Boop** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 4:35 am

lou lou belle;1227135 wrote: My friend is a prem nurse, you are able to stay as long as you want with your baby. I know that people also take photos of the baby as a keep sake. Which must be so difficult for them.

In my experience of many weeks spent in a Special Care Baby Unit they are far more prepared for this than other parts of the hospital. Our local SCBU had designated rooms set aside for this purpose away from the busy and noisy nurseries. I would like to think that maybe childrens wards have the same sort of set up where they impose no time limit.

Oops · Post by **Oops** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:22 am

From personal experience when my best friend died we were allowed to stay with her until we felt ready to leave. I think we waited for just under an hour. I remember looking back and wishing i'd stayed longer.

lou lou belle · Post by **lou lou belle** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:32 am

Oops;1227177 wrote: From personal experience when my best friend died we were allowed to stay with her until we felt ready to leave. I think we waited for just under an hour. I remember looking back and wishing i'd stayed longer.

That is so sad. I have a best friend who i have known for over 20 years. She is more like a sister, i would be heartbroken if anything happened to her. At least you were able to see her and say your goodbye's

Oops · Post by **Oops** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 6:39 am

lou lou belle;1227179 wrote: That is so sad. I have a best friend who i have known for over 20 years. She is more like a sister, i would be heartbroken if anything happened to her. At least you were able to see her and say your goodbye's

Thanks Lou lou.

We were best friends since primary school until she died when she was 24. We even bought flats across from each other. She died of cancer and had been battling it since she first got a tumour in her leg when she was 12. She then got another tumour in her brain when she was 20, which they successfully removed, but it came back and this time was too big to operate on. At least we were prepared for it i guess. You hear of perfectly healthy loved ones just dropping dead and that must be absolutely horrendous.

Post by **Peter Lake** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 7:35 am

Betty Boop;1227138 wrote: In my experience of many weeks spent in a Special Care Baby Unit they are far more prepared for this than other parts of the hospital. Our local SCBU had designated rooms set aside for this purpose away from the busy and noisy nurseries. I would like to think that maybe childrens wards have the same sort of set up where they impose no time limit.
It depends also on if an autopsy is needed but most hospitals are very good. Along with photograph's they also do a plaster cast print of feet and hands now along with a cutting of hair.

lou lou belle · Post by **lou lou belle** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 8:38 am

Oops;1227182 wrote: Thanks Lou lou.

We were best friends since primary school until she died when she was 24. We even bought flats across from each other. She died of cancer and had been battling it since she first got a tumour in her leg when she was 12. She then got another tumour in her brain when she was 20, which they successfully removed, but it came back and this time was too big to operate on. At least we were prepared for it i guess. You hear of perfectly healthy loved ones just dropping dead and that must be absolutely horrendous.

An ex boyfriend of mine died from cancer. He was 20, it was such a waste of a good life. He died at home in the arms of his father. God how do you get over that?

His funeral was so sad, just full of teenagers. :-1

Patsy Warnick · Post by **Patsy Warnick** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:30 am

Actually if the question is regarding a child/young person on life support - and family had to decide to take that person off life support..?

The Family is given a considerable about of time with that person.

pretty much the amount of time wanted.

When a person is taken off life support - medical staff is with the family to assist with the equipment (unplug) machines.

medical staff then leave and family is left with the loved one.

Usually by the time the decision is made the Family & love ones have already said their good-byes and organ donation have been discussed & arranged etc...

If a department of the hosp. limits your time..??? which should not happen..

The Chaplin of the Hosp. has alot of authority over all

and can/will arrange the amount of time desired.

I hope I've made sense & this helps.

Patsy

Fyrenza · Post by **Fyrenza** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 9:34 am

Lon;1227085 wrote: My wife is a retired RN, CNM and one of our daughters is an RN. They tell me there is no set time and that most people leave voluntarily within an hour or so, if not, they would tactfully be told it best to leave.

For the U.S., yes.

The Tactful Help would probably involve an offer of grief counselling, or such...

fuzzywuzzy · Post by **fuzzywuzzy** » Sat Aug 08, 2009 1:23 pm

Patsy Warnick;1227273 wrote: Actually if the question is regarding a child/young person on life support - and family had to decide to take that person off life support..?

The Family is given a considerable about of time with that person.

pretty much the amount of time wanted.

When a person is taken off life support - medical staff is with the family to assist with the equipment (unplug) machines.

medical staff then leave and family is left with the loved one.

Usually by the time the decision is made the Family & love ones have already said their good-byes and organ donation have been discussed & arranged etc...

If a department of the hosp. limits your time..??? which should not happen..

The Chaplin of the Hosp. has alot of authority over all

and can/will arrange the amount of time desired.

I hope I've made sense & this helps.

Patsy

thnaks everyone most helpful. I recieved a PM that explained basically what happens (more applicable to my circumstances)

thanks heaps that person!!!!

Thanks for all your answers . Good to see that a lot of hospitals do care about the patients family.