Expert nursing behaviors in care of the dying adult in the intensive care unit.
OBJECTIVE
To identify expert nursing behaviors in care of the dying adult in the intensive care unit.


METHODS
Descriptive, exploratory.


METHODS
One tertiary care hospital surgical intensive care unit and one community hospital medical-surgical intensive care unit in a western Canadian city.


METHODS
Ten intensive care nurses nominated as experts in the care of dying adults by their peers.


RESULTS
Behaviors identified after constant comparative content analysis of transcribed interviews with nurse experts included: responding after death has occurred; responding to the family; responding to anger; responding to colleagues; providing comfort care; and enhancing personal growth.


CONCLUSIONS
The identification and description of specific nursing interventions in care of the dying are imperative to demonstrate to practicing clinicians that a clearly defined role exists for them in the delivery of terminal care.
McClement
S E
SE
Collaborative Baccalaureate Nursing Program, University of Manitoba Health Sciences Centre, Winnipeg, Canada.
Degner
L F
LF
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001293:Attitude to Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D016294:Models, Nursing; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000523:psychology*; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D013727:Terminal Care