Finding privacy from a public death: a qualitative exploration of how a dedicated space for end‐of‐life care in an acute hospital impacts on dying patients and their families. Issue 15 (4th May 2015)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Slatyer, Susan; Pienaar, Catherine; Williams, Anne M.; Proctor, Karen; Hewitt, Laura
• Is Part Of: Journal of clinical nursing. Volume 24:Issue 15/16(2015)
• Page Start: 2164
• Page End: 2174
• Publication Date: 2015-05-04
• Subjects: Nursing -- Periodicals; Clinical medicine -- Periodicals; 610.7305
• DOI: 10.1111/jocn.12845
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0962-1067

Abstract

<abstract abstract-type="main" id="jocn12845-abs-0001"> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <sec id="jocn12845-sec-0001" sec-type="section"> <title>Aims and objectives</title> <p>To explore the experiences and perceptions of hospital staff caring for dying patients in a dedicated patient/family room (named Lotus Room).</p> </sec> <sec id="jocn12845-sec-0002" sec-type="section"> <title>Background</title> <p>Dying in hospital is a common outcome for people across the world. However, noise and activity in acute environments present barriers to quality end‐of‐life care. This is of concern because care provided to dying patients has been shown to affect both the patients and the bereaved families.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocn12845-sec-0003" sec-type="section"> <title>Design</title> <p>A qualitative descriptive approach was used.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocn12845-sec-0004" sec-type="section"> <title>Methods</title> <p>Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with 17 multidisciplinary staff and seven families provided information through an investigator‐developed instrument.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocn12845-sec-0005" sec-type="section"> <title>Results</title> <p>Qualitative data analysis generated three categories describing: Dying in an hospital; The Lotus Room; and the Outcomes for patients and families. The Lotus Room was seen as a large, private and, ultimately, safe space for patients and families within the public hospital environment. Family feedback supported staff perspectives that the Lotus Room facilitated family presence and communication.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocn12845-sec-0006" sec-type="section"> <title>Conclusions</title> <p>The privacy afforded by the Lotus Room within this acute hospital provided benefits for the dying patients and grieving families. Improved outcomes included a peaceful death for patients, which may have assisted the family with their bereavement.</p> </sec> <sec id="jocn12845-sec-0007" sec-type="section"> <title>Relevance to clinical practice</title> <p>This study provides evidence of how the physical environment can address well‐established barriers to quality end‐of‐life care in acute hospitals.</p> </sec> </abstract>