Hospital-Based Perinatal Bereavement and Palliative Care: A Descriptive Study to Measure Patient Satisfaction and Care Provided.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study was to examine: 1) patient satisfaction with perinatal bereavement and palliative care services; and 2) occurrence of expected care activities provided by nurses for women who have experienced perinatal loss.

Background: Patients undergoing perinatal loss often receive care from maternity providers not trained in perinatal bereavement, thus decreasing their satisfaction with care. The psychological effects of perinatal loss as well as recent laws that affect both patients and caregivers require attention to this area of hospital-based care.

Methods: Women who experienced a perinatal loss were asked to participate in a study by responding to an investigator-designed questionnaire to evaluate variables of interest.

Results: Responding to the survey, 98% (n = 41) of participants would recommend this hospital (study site) to women who have experienced a perinatal loss.

Conclusions: Participants expressed a high level of satisfaction with their care. Similarly, almost all participants experienced the expected care activities that were evidence-based interventions as part of the certified perinatal loss program.