> In a resus situation (lets say a cardiac arrest) having the relatives
> present is hardly for the benefit of the patient - it's for the benefit of
> the relatives - but is that where our duty of care lies in that situation?
> Children are clearly different.
> Nick Jenkins
> A&E Consultant
> Abergavenny
> http://www.ae-nevillhall.org.uk
I think that a duty of care is exercised to relatives both in preventing
them from witnessing a "traumatic" resuscitation and allowing them to
witness others to help them with their bereavement. Like in the Sheffield
Footbal Stadium fire, relatives might be able to claim compensation for PTSD
if we do not take reasonable care in how we exercise our duty.
Tony Adams
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