title: A Systems Approach to Improving Care for All Bereaved Families.
abstract: Bereavement services for families are an established part of hospice and palliative care. However, patients also die in the acute care and long-term care environments. Often, hospice is not involved, creating a potential gap in care. This article recounts a journey to improve care for all families of deceased patients, despite the presence or absence of hospice. A palliative care clinical nurse specialist led a quality improvement team, which used a systems thinking approach to develop and implement a downloadable bereavement booklet for families. Expected and unexpected outcomes are discussed for this replicable project.
authors.affiliation: Mimi Jenko, DNP, RN, CHPN, PMHCNS-BC, is professor of nursing, Polk State College, Winter Haven, Florida. Nancy M. Short, DrPH, MBA, RN, is associate professor, Duke University School of Nursing, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: Mimi
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Jenko
authors.forename: Nancy M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Short
mesh_terms: D001601:Bereavement; D017051:Hospice Care; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D013597:Systems Analysis