Perceptions of a "good death" in acute hospitals.
BACKGROUND
Despite the fact that half of all deaths occur in hospital, there is a lack of literature on general nurses' experiences of caring for end-of-life patients on general hospital wards.


OBJECTIVE
To ascertain general nurses' perceptions and experiences of a good death in an acute hospital setting.


METHODS
In-depth interviews were conducted with 13 general nurses working in an acute hospital.


RESULTS
Six themes were identified as important in facilitating a good death: good communication/awareness of expected death; time (to care); environment; support; knowledge; symptom management.


CONCLUSIONS
Participants felt that failing to communicate a diagnosis of dying adversely affected the quality of death. As such the focus of future end-of-life care education needs to include how general nurses can facilitate communication and handle difficult questions to enable a good death for patients and their families.
Teresa
T
Oliver
Stephen J
SJ
O'Connor
D003643:Death; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000523:psychology*; D010166:Palliative Care; D006113:United Kingdom