The presence of relatives during Resus is an old chestnut but, during
conversation the other day, we touched on the issue of consent - maybe the
patient wouldn't have wanted them there.
In dealing with consent and the incompetent adult we will do what we
consider best for the patient although it's good practice to talk to
relatives etc. and get them on board.
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.
What do people think / has anyone already got the answer? Purely an
academic discussion point and could even be argued by some as being a case
of academia divorced from the real world - like most academic points there
must be an answer and sooner or later it'll have a practical consequence for
someone. At the moment it just doesn't 'fit properly' in the little pigeon
holes in my head!!
Nick Jenkins
A&E Consultant
Abergavenny
http://www.ae-nevillhall.org.uk
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