How to cope with peds deaths

[u/[deleted]]

I worked my first peds arrest yesterday. He was under a year old. I can hear his family’s screams echoing in my head and see the defeat in my team when we called it. I know it’s part of the job we do, but it sucks and I know they don’t get easier. Does anyone have any advice or coping skills to offer? I could use it.

[u/TSM_forlife]

I have no advice. However my screams probably live in the ER doc’s head. My boy was 5 and he had a massive asthma attack with some heart issues and died. I was devastated for years.

What I remember most? That sweet doctor. I collapsed and was at his knees, when I looked up he had tears streaming down his face and he held me while I yelled. One nurse ran out of the room and the others just wrapped themselves around me. You guys are literal angels to those parents. It’s been 23 years. When I read things like this I want you to know I want to give those healing hugs right back to you and everyone doing what you do. We love you. Even if we say or do something crazy in the middle of that pain. We will always be grateful you tried to save our babies.