Bereavement follow-up to families after death in the intensive care unit

Campbell, Margaret; Thill, Mary

doi:10.1097/00003246-200004000-00074

Cited by 12 publications

(3 citation statements)

References 5 publications

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“…Dying trajectories in ICU include: sudden death; acute illness or injury with rapid deterioration; chronic illness with gradual decline leading to withdrawal of treatment, and prolonged deterioration with patients moving in and out of serious illness [6,7,8]. Due to the unpredictable dying trajectories, the nature of critical illness and advanced technical care in ICU which aims at curing, the emotional preparation of the family for the possibility of patient death may be overlooked [9,10]. Consequently, deaths in ICU can lead to emotionally charged situations and life changing circumstances for family members [10].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The state of bereavement support in adult intensive care: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Efstathiou

Walker

Metcalfe

et al. 2019

Journal of Critical Care

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Purpose: Despite advances in medical science, patient death and family bereavement are commonly encountered in adult intensive care units (ICUs). This is the first review to investigate the state of ICU bereavement support globally, and the availability and effectiveness of bereavement support interventions.Methods: A systematic review and narrative synthesis. Medline, CINAHL Plus, PsycINFO, Web of Science, EMBASE were searched and inclusion/exclusion criteria were applied. Included studies were appraised using relevant appraisal tools.Results: Fourteen papers formed the review; five of which were international surveys reporting variable bereavement practices and levels of support. A lack of training and resources were identified barriers. Nine papers reported the effectiveness of primarily discrete bereavement support interventions including: a personal memento, a handwritten condolence letter, a post-death meeting; storytelling, research participation, use of an ICU diary. One study evaluated a bereavement follow-up program. Generally, all identified interventions were well accepted by bereaved families.Conclusions: The reviewed evidence was weak, and findings were contextually bound. As such, it is difficult to make recommendations for the most acceptable and effective bereavement support intervention(s). Bereavement support in ICU needs further exploration and clinicians must be adequately trained and supported for the delivery of evidence-informed, culturally competent care.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

The state of bereavement support in adult intensive care: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Efstathiou

Walker

Metcalfe

et al. 2019

Journal of Critical Care

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“…Family-centered care for relatives of patients dying in the ICU is not a new concept (Campbell and Thill 2000), and has indeed informed health policy. The Danish Health Authority has provided a guide for care of the bereaved family after the death of a patient from critical illness (SST 2016), wherein it is recommended that the family receives systematic information after the death of the patient.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Family-centered bereavement practices in Danish intensive care units: a cross-sectional national survey

Egerod

Kaldan

Coombs

et al. 2018

Intensive and Critical Care Nursing

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“…Any concerns that the surviving partner may have regarding increased morbidity and mortallly follo.�lng the death or a partner are well founded especially for the older parson. Several studies demonstrate morbi dity and morlality are Increased following the death of a partner, especially for the older person (Bowling & Windsor, 1995;campbell, 2000;Jagger & Sutton, 1991).…”

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confidence: 99%

Living beyond the Unanticipated Sudden Death of a Partner: A Phenomenological Study

et al. 2007

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This research project explored grief and its impact upon men and women who have experienced the sudden and unanticipated death of his or her partner. It included what grief meant to them, how it was manifested in his or her everyday lives and how his or her partner's death had impacted upon his or her relationship with themselves, with others and the world. A Husserlian phenomenological approach was used to explore the experiences of the ten women and five men whose partner had died up to five years prior to being interviewed. The need for the surviving partner to continue to participate in everyday life placed great strain upon the internal resources of the surviving partner. The surviving partner needed to reinvent him or herself, in an attempt to become independent and regain functionality, whilst dealing with the sadness and loss that they had experienced. The surviving partner discovered that a new life order emerged that included hope, optimism, planning for the future and perhaps the prospect of a new relationship. The death of a partner left the surviving partner with a loss that would always be a part of them, with the memories of his or her relationship being maintained within them that will never be replaced by somebody else. The results of this research project reinforce the need for ongoing education of the community in grief and bereavement issues in order to increase the awareness of the support needs of the bereaved person. The length of time and amount of energy required to incorporate the experience into the survivor's life, is greatly underestimated by the community, and perhaps by some of the health and caring professionals. Colonial and hospital based bereavement support services need to be established and be proactive using outreach programs, actively offering the suddenly bereaved partner and family support and information.

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Bereavement follow-up to families after death in the intensive care unit

Cited by 12 publications

References 5 publications

The state of bereavement support in adult intensive care: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

The state of bereavement support in adult intensive care: A systematic review and narrative synthesis

Family-centered bereavement practices in Danish intensive care units: a cross-sectional national survey

Living beyond the Unanticipated Sudden Death of a Partner: A Phenomenological Study

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