Authors
- Cheryl Wallis1,
- Khanh Do1,
- Birsen Sozer1,
- Cheryl Wallis1,
- Khanh Do1,
- Birsen Sozer1
- Western Health1
2018
Excerpt
Cheryl Wallis has been working in Palliative Care for the last 16 years. During this time Cheryl has been the Palliative Care Unit Nurse Unit Manager and a Clinical Nurse Consultant with the Palliative Care Consultancy team at Western Health , located in Melbourne’s western suburbs. A particular interest is supporting patients and their families in the last days of life, not only with their physical comfort but also supporting them with their emotional needs.
Background:
Bereavement support is an integral part of healthcare. Western Health (WH) experiences over 1000 in-patient deaths annually, however, consistent and accessible information was not available for bereaved Families and Significant Others (FSO) or staff. In response, a multidisciplinary working group formed, with the aim to develop a resource package.
Objectives:
Methods & Procedures
A ‘Bereavement Information Booklet’ (BIB) and education module was developed after a review of evidence, benchmarking and consultation with staff and consumers. A survey, using a mixed-method and descriptive statistical approach, was conducted pre and post education sessions. This measured staff knowledge and confidence in providing information following the death of a patient. After 6 months, a survey was conducted to the same staff to ascertain any changes to their confidence and use of the BIB.
Outcomes:
The results indicated a 55% increase in confidence when providing support, a 40% increase in the provision of BIBs and sustained knowledge.
Discussion & Implication for Practice
Overwhelmingly, staff felt the BIB is an effective resource for bereavement care and education sessions improved their confidence. Due to the effectiveness of the BIB, it has been translated into 5 key languages (Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Macedonian and simplified Chinese) and is available on WH’s intranet for staff and patients.
Conclusion:
The BIB and education sessions increased bereavement support provision and provides accessible bereavement support for WH’s diverse patient population and staff.
Funding Acknowledgment: Directorate of Community Integration, Allied Health & Service Planning.
Background:
Bereavement support is an integral part of healthcare. Western Health (WH) experiences over 1000 in-patient deaths annually, however, consistent and accessible information was not available for bereaved Families and Significant Others (FSO) or staff. In response, a multidisciplinary working group formed, with the aim to develop a resource package.
Objectives:
- Quality of Care – provide consistent and accessible bereavement information across WH.
- Education – increase staff knowledge and confidence when providing bereavement support.
- Sustainability – establish a sustainable process for the accessibility of the bereavement information.
Methods & Procedures
A ‘Bereavement Information Booklet’ (BIB) and education module was developed after a review of evidence, benchmarking and consultation with staff and consumers. A survey, using a mixed-method and descriptive statistical approach, was conducted pre and post education sessions. This measured staff knowledge and confidence in providing information following the death of a patient. After 6 months, a survey was conducted to the same staff to ascertain any changes to their confidence and use of the BIB.
Outcomes:
The results indicated a 55% increase in confidence when providing support, a 40% increase in the provision of BIBs and sustained knowledge.
Discussion & Implication for Practice
Overwhelmingly, staff felt the BIB is an effective resource for bereavement care and education sessions improved their confidence. Due to the effectiveness of the BIB, it has been translated into 5 key languages (Greek, Italian, Vietnamese, Macedonian and simplified Chinese) and is available on WH’s intranet for staff and patients.
Conclusion:
The BIB and education sessions increased bereavement support provision and provides accessible bereavement support for WH’s diverse patient population and staff.
Funding Acknowledgment: Directorate of Community Integration, Allied Health & Service Planning.