Comfort levels of nurses who provide care to patients who experience a perinatal loss

Background: When a woman experiences a perinatal loss, it is one of the most tragic events possible. Attaining the skillset to communicate with patients and their family during a perinatal loss event is crucial, as the consequences of perinatal loss are linked to depression, anxiety, and complicated grief. As nurse provide care to patients and families who experience a perinatal loss, comfort levels should be assessed in order to provide quality patient care. Methods: Nurse comfort was assessed pre/post intervention utilizing The Rondinelli Modified Perinatal Bereavement Scale Nurse Comfort Survey. Participants attended an offsite perinatal bereavement session followed by scenario-based simulation training. Descriptive statistics, Wilcoxon rank-test, and Spearman's Rho test were used to analyze the data. Results: Based on the analysis of the data collected using the Wilcoxon signed-rank test, results revealed that there is no statistical significance on any of the items measured post-intervention. A Spearman's Rho test indicated a statistically significant, strong positive correlation between age and the grief process rs (3) =. 894, p<. 05, performing holding baby rs (3) = .872, p<. 05, performing taking pictures rs (3) = .872, p<. 05, performing participating in spiritual moments rs (3) = .972, p < .05. Age of the nurse predicated comfort in delivering perinatal bereavement care. Conclusions: The discussion focuses on how nurse leaders can prioritize bereavement care, to best support nurses and increase the experience and confidence of nurses who are not as comfortable.DNPIncludes bibliographical reference