Abstract
Background Mortality in Danish intensive care units (ICUs) continues at 27%, resulting in a large number of bereaved family members being cared for in the ICU. Objectives To investigate the provision of bereavement care and follow-up services for bereaved families in Danish ICUs. Methodology Self-administered computerized cross-sectional nation-wide survey of Danish ICUs. Results Nurses at 46 of 48 (96%) ICUs in Denmark responded. Bereavement care at the time of patient death included viewing the patient in ICU (100%), and in the hospital mortuary (59%). Information about hospital-based follow-up for the family was provided in 72% of units, whereas only one unit provided information on community-based bereavement follow-up. Bereavement follow-up services after hospitalization were offered to families in 59% of ICUs and included an ICU visit, meeting with the staff present at the time of death, a letter of condolence, a phone call to the family, referral to a priest or clergyman, or referral to other counseling. Although many interventions were common, there were variations within the elements offered. Nurses and physicians were the most consistent health care staff involved in bereavement services. Conclusion Most ICUs in Denmark offered bereavement follow-up services, but these varied in their approach, were not evidence-based, and lacked formal evaluation. More systematic quality improvement of bereavement practices is required.
DOI
10.1016/j.iccn.2017.10.003
Publication Date
2018-04-01
Publication Title
Intensive and Critical Care Nursing
Volume
45
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
0964-3397
Embargo Period
2024-11-19
First Page
52
Last Page
57
Recommended Citation
Egerod, I., Kaldan, G., Coombs, M., & Mitchell, M. (2018) 'Family-centered bereavement practices in Danish intensive care units: a cross-sectional national survey', Intensive and Critical Care Nursing, 45, pp. 52-57. Elsevier: Available at: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2017.10.003
Comments
publisher: Elsevier articletitle: Family-centered bereavement practices in Danish intensive care units: a cross-sectional national survey journaltitle: Intensive and Critical Care Nursing articlelink: http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.iccn.2017.10.003 content_type: article copyright: © 2017 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.