Nurturing compassion: transformative end-of-life nursing care

After experiencing the death of her own father in a hospital in Washington State, Dana Nordquist, BSN, RN was inspired to enhance the experience for the families who lose a loved one and for the caregivers who are witness to the passing of a patient they served at Good Samaritan Hospital in Lafayette, CO.??

Added recognition for one’s mortality can be a very meaningful way to end the hospital experience for a family, giving some added closure.? Dana also knew literature reviews suggest that humanizing things, like a moment of silence and offering a brief pause to reflect on the hard work the team has done, can strengthen caregiver resilience and foster connectedness.? She had connected with colleagues at Saint Joseph Hospital in Denver, CO who implemented a moment of silence with positive feedback.

Dana created a multidisciplinary committee including Alana Worth and Saundra Casey from Spiritual Care, Meagan Clark, RN from ICU, and Rocky Garthwaite, RN from Med Surg, to bring her vision to fruition.

With support from senior leadership, a new end-of-life process has now been initiated at Good Samaritan.? There are three primary parts:?

1. There is a moment of silence, a “sacred pause,” with a scripted reflection read after the patient expires to honor the life of the patient and the team's efforts. ?The caregivers create a soothing environment in the room, placing a doily placemat on the bedside table with a flameless votive candle and a beautiful, framed quote while offering soft instrumental music while the reflection is spoken.? They also offer the family a glass bottle to hold an EKG strip or lock of hair.?
2. After the patient has had post-mortem care, the chaplain offers the family an “exit service.”? Security can bring up the morgue cart and cover it with a flag if the patient was a veteran or a simple drape covering.? Caregivers line the hallway as music is played and the draped cart is transported through the department while the family follows behind.? The family is escorted to the 1st?floor from the elevator by the Primary RN as Security takes the deceased patient to the morgue.?
3. A wellness kit is given to nurses by the Charge RN for difficult or emotional patient deaths.?The bag consists of an end-of-life blessing directed to the caregiver, chocolate, tea, and inspirational stickers.? Debriefing visits led by a Spiritual caregiver are always an option.

At Good Samaritan’s first exit service, the patient’s daughter, who?had?kept vigil at her mother’s bedside for many days, said: “My mom would always want me to walk with her as far as they would let me go whenever she was taken to surgery. ?This is perfect.”? The exit service provided the nurse, CNA, and chaplains an opportunity?to provide?closure, goodbyes, and final blessings, as this family member?was accompanied?to the hospital exit.? She did not have to walk alone.? ??

Caregivers also provided positive feedback, suggesting the effort fosters reflection and team unity, connecting clinicians while honoring a precious human life.?? This work is a beautiful example of our core commitment to promote human dignity, honoring the transition from this life, and caring for the bereaved.