A couple months ago I witnessed my first deceased infant. let me explain. A father brought in a 3 day old that wasnt breathing. The code was called and within minutes a team of doctors and nurses surrounded the infant doing everything possible to keep him alive. Life flight was called, the lab was standing by for any blood work to be run, and the poor father was just watching all this. After what seemed like an hour, the doctors became quiet and called it. "Time of death..." the emergency room was silent. After returning to the lab and discussing the incident with the tech that was in the room, from the corner of my eye I caught a flicker of red. Life flight landed not even 3 minutes after the TOD was called.
I was sent to return to the ER to pick up our draw kit. Unfortunately my timing was impeccable. The grandfather was carrying the infants grey lifeless body down the hall.
I've seen death before. I've been around terminal patients. But to witness a deceased 3 day old baby... this has really stuck with me. I realize death is something that will be a constant in my chosen career path. I'll have to do the best I can to be caring, sympathetic, and involved. But also, at a distance. I can't let that part of the job burn me out.
If anyone has some advice on dealing with death, I'm all ears.
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