# 076 Telephone Notification of Death – Part 1, 2nd ed

Source:

Medical College of Wisconsin (EPERC)

Synopsis:

Background:  Telephone notification to family members about a death is one of the most challenging and stressful communication skills, especially for cross-covering housestaff who may have had no direct interactions with the patient or family. Unpredictable variables are involved; telephone notification does not allow the same level of interaction possible with direct personal contact. This Fast Fact offers some guidelines when telephone notification is unavoidable; Fast Fact #77 discusses issues surrounding whether or not to delay notification of death until loved ones arrive at the hospital.

Vol/Page/Date:

October 2006; 76.

Resource Type:

Other

Author/Source:

Rosalia R Osias MD, Daniel H Pomerantz MD, Jeffrey M Brensilver MD, FACP