Crisis Management Toolkit:  Missing or Deceased Trainees, Faculty, Staff 

First points of contact:   Immediately inform Susan Culican, DIO, at 314-749-4078.  She will identify a Crisis Response Team leader to begin mobilizing the Crisis Response Team.   

Death of a trainee, staff or faculty member is devastating, shocking and stressful for all involved. It can feel different than the death of a patient and may be more like that of a family member or close friend. There are also aspects of this loss that can be traumatizing for many. Being aware of the experiences common to loss can help:

• Allow the community to grieve and feel supported

• Raise awareness of the mental health needs of the community

• If suicide is the cause of death, prevent contagion

• Engage in suicide prevention efforts at a later stage

It is also important to remember that the trainee is a colleague or hospital employee. While physicians may have experience in dealing with patient deaths, managing the death of a trainee carries with it a different set of responsibilities.  This Google site will provide resources to navigate this difficult time.