Perceptions of a “good death” in acute hospitals

Aim: This study reports the findings of the generalist nurses’ perceptions and experiences of a good death in an acute hospital setting.

Background: There are many papers written about healthcare professionals’ experiences of caring for dying patients in the hospice setting and more recently in care homes, but despite half of all deaths occurring in hospital there is a dearth of literature of general nurses experiences of caring for end of life patients on general hospital wards.

Method: An exploratory approach was taken using in-depth interviews involving 13 generalist nurses working in an acute hospital.

Results: Six themes were identified: communication/expected death; time (to care); environment; support; knowledge; symptom management.

Conclusion/Recommendations: The participants considered that failing to communicate a diagnosis of dying adversely affected the quality of death. Therefore the focus of future end of life care education needs to include how generalist nurses can facilitate communication and handle difficult questions to enable a good death for the patient and their family.

Key words: dying; good/bad death; hospital death; nurse perceptions.