Gasping in Dying Children: Health Care Professionals' Feelings and Knowledge

Gasping in Dying Children: Health Care Professionals' Feelings and Knowledge

Pierron C; Maillard A; Farnoux C; Grimaud M; Bourgeois FL

Journal of Palliative Medicine

2023

Child; pediatrics; critical care; knowledge; end of life; Only Child; healthcare professionals; emotions

Purpose: To assess the feelings and knowledge of health care professionals (HCPs) about gasping in dying patients in neonatal intensive care units (NICUs) and pediatric intensive care units (PICUs). Methods: A 9-item questionnaire addressed to 488 HCPs (physicians, nurses, and nursing assistants) of 2 NICUs and 2 PICUs. Questions were about HCPs' feelings when confronted with gasping, their knowledge, and their opinions on what to tell family members. Results: Responses were obtained from 248 staff members. Of the respondents, 43% felt that gasping was painful to the patient and most felt that witnessing gasps was distressing for the parents, and 77% reported being distressed by witnessing gasps. Conclusions: Efforts are needed to educate HCPs about the physiology of gasping, to help them to cope with gasping, and to give better support to parents.

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November List 2023