Why families no longer wait outside our ICU doors

“Come on Jason, come on buddy—you can do it.” The words of encouragement were actually a plea from a mom who was frightened that her beautiful son might die. Mary, a first-time mom, held on to her 2-month-old sonʹs hand. Standing behind Mary was her husband, Tom, who clung desperately to Maryʹs shoulders. Tomʹs mother stood near him, quietly supporting her son and daughter-in-law. Surrounding this family were the doctors, nurses, and respiratory therapists of the pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) at Yale New Haven Childrenʹs Hospital. The PICU team worked to resuscitate Jason, diagnosed just hours before with congenital supraventricular tachycardia. The love and passion of Jasonʹs family streamed forth as they witnessed compressions, bagging, blood draws, line placement, and medication administration.