• Catherine A Marco and Lindsay R Wetzel.
• Department of Emergency Medicine, University of Toledo College of Medicine, 3045 Arlington Avenue, Toledo, OH 43614, USA. cmarco2@aol.com
• Emerg Med J. 2012 Aug 1;29(8):626-9.

BackgroundCommunication with survivors of severe motor vehicle crashes is challenging for emergency physicians. The appropriate timing of death notification to survivors of severe motor vehicle crashes is unknown.ObjectiveTo determine communication preferences among survivors of motor vehicle crashes.MethodsIn this cross-sectional survey study, eligible participants included adult survivors of motor vehicle crashes in which there was a death, between 2005 and 2009. Participants were interviewed and responses to 30 questions about communication were recorded verbatim. Responses were coded and grouped for statistical analysis.ResultsAmong 26 eligible participants, 21 consented to participate (81% participation rate). Survivors' relationship to the deceased included spouse/significant other (33%), friend (24%), child (5%) and no relationship (38%). Survivors had been notified of the death in the prehospital setting (14%), in the emergency department (43%), or later in the inpatient setting (43%). Survivors were notified of the death by family members (43%), indirect communication (14%), police (10%), prehospital provider (10%), or friend (10%). Most participants (88%) had to ask directly to obtain information about the status of others in the crash. Participants demonstrated variable opinions about the ideal time of death notification: some recommended immediately (24%), in the emergency department (24%), in the inpatient setting (29%), or it depends on the circumstances (24%).ConclusionsSurvivors of motor vehicles crashes are notified of fatalities most commonly by family members, most commonly in the hospital setting. Recommendations from survivors about the appropriate timing and setting for death notification varied significantly.

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