Perceptions by Families of Emergency Medical Service Interventions During Imminent Pediatric Out-of-Hospital Death

Objective: To understand how family members view the ways Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and other first responders interact with distressed family members during an intervention involving a recent or impending pediatric death.

Methods: In depth interviews with 11 grieving parents of young children and survey results from 4 additional grieving parents of adult children were conducted as part of a larger study on effective ways for EMS providers to interact with distressed family members during a pediatric death in the field. The responses were analyzed using qualitative content analyses.

Results: Family reactions to the crisis and the professional response by first responders were critical to family coping and getting necessary support. There were several critical competencies identified to help the family cope including: (1) that first responders provide excellent and expeditious care with seamless coordination, (2) allowing family to witness the resuscitation including the attempts to save the child’s life, and (3) providing ongoing communication. Whether the child is removed from the scene or not, keeping the family apprised of what is happening and why is critical. Giving tangible forms of support by calling friends, family, and clergy, along with allowing the family time with the child after death, giving emotional support, and follow-up gestures all help families cope.

Conclusion: The study generated hypothetical ways for first responders to interact with distressed family members during an OOH pediatric death.