The Rapid Response Team Nurse's Role in End-of-Life Discussions During Critical Situations

Abstract

Rapid response teams have been in existence in hospitals over the past decade. This team call may offer life-saving interventions that save lives but, in some cases, may prolong the dying process. There are times in which the rapid response team nurse and the intensive care nurses need to have an understanding of the families' perception of what is occurring and manage this situation through communication, empathy, and information sharing. The nurse must be involved during discussions surrounding end-of-life decisions. The nurse also has a role in supporting the family through this difficult time of making a decision to withhold life-supporting measures.