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Monday, November 2, 2009: 4:10 PM
Learning Objective 1: Discuss cultrually sesitive ways to optimize care that both supports the bereaved family as well as guides them to fulfill parental respobsibilities toward their neonate.
Learning Objective 2: Using a case illustration, identify tools, resources, and techniques nurses can use that will help guide the family to define their needs and reach closure
New Born Death While neonatal mortality is uncommon, its occurrence can be devastating for all concerned. The silence of the still baby cloaks the bustle and hum of a busy clinical environment, and time stands still for the grieving family. While the pain and crisis of a neonatal death is often shared by staff, it remains our professional responsibility to thoughtfully reach into the family’s pain to promote healing and closure.
When a newborn dies, families can greatly benefit from sensitive guidance to navigate the unfamiliar. Many new parents have never experienced such a loss, and are completely unprepared for the onslaught of emotions and responsibilities that accompany this life changing event. In this moment, nurses caring for the bereaved family are in a unique position to assist the family gather tangible memories of their child, memories that can help the family find meaning in the life of their newborn child. Nurses can provide culturally sensitive, family centered bereavement care that invites and guides the family to define their needs to reach closure. Nurses can also gently assist and guide families to address important yet seemingly remote issues such as state, municipal, and community burial requirements.
A case study illustrates the application of this practice. There are steps which facilitate the fulfillment of parental responsibilities while assisting the family to successfully accomplish the intangible work of grieving. There are also tools which have been specifically designed and deployed to help nurses and families achieve these goals.
Active engagement of culturally sensitive, family centered care, along with the completion of specific tasks and rituals can create meaning and promote healing for families.
When a newborn dies, families can greatly benefit from sensitive guidance to navigate the unfamiliar. Many new parents have never experienced such a loss, and are completely unprepared for the onslaught of emotions and responsibilities that accompany this life changing event. In this moment, nurses caring for the bereaved family are in a unique position to assist the family gather tangible memories of their child, memories that can help the family find meaning in the life of their newborn child. Nurses can provide culturally sensitive, family centered bereavement care that invites and guides the family to define their needs to reach closure. Nurses can also gently assist and guide families to address important yet seemingly remote issues such as state, municipal, and community burial requirements.
A case study illustrates the application of this practice. There are steps which facilitate the fulfillment of parental responsibilities while assisting the family to successfully accomplish the intangible work of grieving. There are also tools which have been specifically designed and deployed to help nurses and families achieve these goals.
Active engagement of culturally sensitive, family centered care, along with the completion of specific tasks and rituals can create meaning and promote healing for families.