RD27 (2017) A Manager’s guide to sudden death of a colleague

Immediate:

At the scene

· Don’t touch anything

· Those who discover the body are witnesses

Notifications

· NOK

· Police

· Do not notify department before death is confirmed by the above

Communication

· Identify a family spokesperson

· Identify a department spokesperson (one hospital only)

· Communicate the news sensitively and respectfully

· Cause of death can be withheld from staff if the family wishes

· Do not dramatise

· Do not describe means of death

Workplace management

· Notify staff before operating begins

· ±Cancel elective lists and clinics – grieving, memorial service

Support

Staff:

· Physical presence of senior staff helps

· Bereavement leave

· Critical incident support

· Welfare advocacy

· Referral to EAP, ANZCA DSP, DHAS, lifeline, beyond blue

Trainees:

· May struggle more. Suggest opt out EAP

Family:

· ±Ongoing contact

· Offer to pack up and bring home belongings

Return to normal

· Balance need for leave vs need to provide clinical services

· Must encourage staff to seek help

· Will require some redundancy in rostering – discuss with CMO

· Duration of grief depends upon a) person b) closeness to the deceased

· Difficulties may peak at key milestones – e.g. a year later, Christmas

Honour the person

· e.g. at a department function

· Some trainees will have moved on but might want to attend

· Must not glamorise suicide