title: A comprehensive pediatric bereavement program: the patterns of your life.
abstract: The death of a child is one of the most painful experiences a parent can endure. Communicating and meeting the needs of parents during this time of crisis is a challenge for nurses. Pediatric intensive care unit and emergency department nurses who may feel overwhelmed and inadequate when working with grieving families, especially with a sudden and unexpected death, are assisted by "The Patterns of Your Life: A Comprehensive Pediatric Bereavement Program." The program is a blending of critical pathways (an element of managed care), educational resources, and family follow-up for 1 year. Preliminary evaluations indicate that the comprehensive bereavement program appears to have many benefits for families and health care staff alike.
authors.affiliation: Pediatric Intensive Care Unit, University of Wisconsin Children's Hospital, Madison, USA.
authors.forename: M J
authors.initials: MJ
authors.lastname: Nesbit
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Hill
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Peterson
mesh_terms: D001601:Bereavement; D002648:Child; D003422:Critical Care / Q000523:psychology*; D019091:Critical Pathways / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003643:Death; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015278:Intensive Care Units, Pediatric; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000458:organization & administration; D010290:Parents / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology*; D016730:Program Development; D009927:Tissue and Organ Procurement