Palliative Care Environments in an Acute Hospital for End-Of-Life Care-Perspectives of Patients, Next of Kin and Healthcare Professionals.
Dorte Buchwald, Cecilie Hübner, Louise Sofia Madsen and 1 others
PMID 40245247WHAT IT FOUND
Patients, families and staff want end-of-life hospital rooms that feel homely, with hidden medical equipment, nature colours, dimmable light, comfortable furniture and space for family meals.
They also want consistent, competent staff who communicate clearly.
Key findings
01Patients, next of kin and healthcare professionals wanted lively physical surroundings, including hidden medical equipment, natural elements, dimmable lighting, comfortable furniture and home-like touches.
02They also valued compassionate communication, professional competence and continuity of care, with consistent staff, transparent routines and empathetic support.
03Staff wanted enough room to care for patients and accommodate families, and clearer guidelines for palliative patients on a surgical ward.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Only 20 people were interviewed, and only seven patients and three next of kin, so the findings are not a broad sample of dying patients or families. Interviews were kept to about 30 minutes because participants were seriously ill, so some experiences may be under-explored. The interviewer was a palliative nurse on the team and knew some participants, which may have shaped what was said or how it was interpreted. Participants did not review transcripts or final findings, so the authors could not check whether they captured their meaning. The study was about planning rooms in one Danish acute hospital surgery department, so it may not fit other wards, countries or patient groups.
The easy way to misread this
Do not read these preferences as proof that a homely end-of-life room improves care. The study asked patients, families and staff what they wanted in a planned room; it did not test a room or measure patient outcomes.