What do residents need to understand when a terminally ill child falls under their care?
They need to understand that each day they care for such a child, each hour, in fact, could be that child’s last. They need to treat that child they way they would like to be treated if it were their last day, or last hour, to be alive. And they need to honor to the very best of their abilities any wishes the family has for their child. If they want to sleep with the child, make it happen. If they want to give their child one last bath, make it happen. If they want a private room, make it happen. If the child wants one last trip to the playroom, make it happen. If the child wants to eat bacon at midnight, make it happen. If they want to invite family and friends (at the same time) into the PICU, to say goodbye, make it happen. They need to know that there is nothing, absolutely nothing, more excruciating than watching your child suffer and die. And, like I said before, they need to know that they need to treat that child they way they would like to be treated if it were their last day,
