We can resist the ethics of Despair

We just need to remember that A,B,C comes before D.

A #

Ask – when you are struggling either with a patient or just coping emotionally – ask for help, talk to those whose opinions you value. There are people who want to help us. The medical students of Nottingham just emailed saying – “Need some assistances with childcare (or anything else!)… Hundreds of Nottingham Medical Students have expressed a wish to support you as much as possible whilst our placements and teaching have been postponed.”

B #

Brave – put on your brave face. That’s the ICU mask – brave and calm – even when the #£&% is hitting the fan. The more senior you are the braver you must be. Smile. It’s contagious. On my unit yesterday there was tension, there was fear but more smiles than I have ever seen.

C - Remember your 3Cs #

Collaboration
ICU is a team sport. Work like it is. We can and will get through this.
Collaborate with others in the hospital – we are on the same side.
Collaborate with families – we are ALL on the side of the patient.

Clarity
Be clear in your mind with what you need. Be clear in your direction to others. Short emails, short messages.
Be clear with families. They know things are bad as much as we do.

Compassion
For each other, for our families, for our patients, for yourself.
Say thank you. Say I am sorry. Sometimes words are all we have. Sometimes they are enough.

Resist the ethics of despair.

KC,KS,WYH (keep calm, keep safe, wash your hands)

Dale