Calling All Respiratory Care Angels
Every day, we as respiratory therapists see family members struggle to make the right ethical decisions about their relatives' care. While eliminating life support seems to be a direct contradiction to our purpose, as caregivers we have an opportunity to act as a "support angel" to these confused family members.
Many times we find end-of-life decisions are not the strongest areas of communication for many physicians. However, family members can't make educated decisions if they are not given the correct information in a compassionate way.
I have received letters from families commending my staff members on their heartfelt interactions and sensitivity in explaining what they are doing and what is occurring.
I experienced this first hand with my grandmother several years ago. I was the only family member with medical training of 12 sitting around Grandma's hospital bed listening to physicians explain that Grandma had had a major stroke and the CT showed a total bleed out with no chance of recovery.
Grandma was 100 years old and lived a wonderful life, and yet the physicians were talking about all the invasive procedures they were going to do before sending her off to a nursing home to pass on.
It was then that I spoke with my family members and explained what had happened, what the doctors wanted to do and what Grandma would probably have wanted. The family decided to go to "comfort measures only." Grandma passed on in peace four hours later.
Not every family has someone in the medical field to offer advice. However, they may have a compassionate respiratory therapist in the background to act as a surrogate. Take the time to assess the entire situation spreading out before you; don't just make another vent check or another round. Lend an ear or a hug.
Yes, you need to be careful about what you say; but you could be someone's angel as they wind their way through tough decision-making processes.