The physician also should ask whether the home was locked prior to coming to the hospital. Grief Grief is a natural reaction to the death of a child. The grief process begins with understanding that the child's death is real. Suffering is a natural part of grief. The physician should accept a wide range of emotions of families suffering from the loss.
Families often feel guilty.
It is also important to reassure families that every care procedure that could be implemented in the ED was implemented. If possible, begin a dialogue with the family prior to pronouncement of death. The physician managing resuscitation will not be able to leave the patient. However, a nurse or other trusted staff member may be sent to establish contact with the family, obtain a brief medical history, provide a short synopsis of the clinical situation, and escort the family to a quiet area. Do not give false hope.