Groundbreaking Local Study on Improving Patient Care Following Pregnancy Loss
Collaboration between Institute of Reproductive Grief Care and Scripps Health leads to improvement in staff’s supportive care for patients through innovative training.
Emergency department staff at Scripps Health trained by the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care showed significant improvements in staff’s perceived knowledge, attitude, and supportive care for patients experiencing reproductive loss, according to a new study published in the peer-reviewed “Journal of Emergency Nursing”.
In the fast-paced environment of the Emergency Department (ED), the emotional needs of patients experiencing reproductive loss often go unaddressed. Existing research demonstrates that while reproductive loss can result in long-term trauma when emotional needs are unmet, healthcare professionals frequently report a lack of adequate preparation to deliver compassionate, trauma-informed care.
This study examined the impact of an educational intervention designed to equip healthcare professionals with the skills needed to provide high-quality, trauma-informed reproductive grief care. As a result of the training provided by the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care during the assessment, marked improvements were observed in several areas including emotional support, patient-centered care, discharge planning, bereavement care, community resources, staff support, and post-intervention communication skills, thus increasing nursing and other staff's ability to address complex emotional needs.
Entitled “Psychosocial Care of Pregnancy Loss in the Emergency Department,” this paper was authored by researchers Rebecca Mattson, Ph.D., R.N., PHN, of San Diego State University, and Shandeigh ‘Nikki’ Berry, Ph.D., R.N., CNE, of Saint Martin’s University, in collaboration with the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care. Evidence-based training was implemented in two major EDs in Southern California, Scripps Mercy Hospital’s Hillcrest and Chula Vista campuses. Pre- and post-intervention survey data was collected to assess changes in perceived knowledge, attitudes, and emotional support capacities.
“In the midst of clinical urgency, even brief moments of compassionate presence can transform miscarriage care from an experience of isolation to one of dignity and support,” said researcher Rebecca Mattson.
Researcher Nikki Berry added, “Nurses, often at the front lines of life's most profound losses, rarely receive education in reproductive grief care. Our findings reveal that when given the training they so desperately seek, nurses can offer transformative care in life's most vulnerable moments that is not only clinically sound, but deeply human."
“We are so pleased to have taken part in such an important study,” said Tom Gammiere, regional chief executive, Scripps Health. “Improving patient-centered care aligns perfectly with the mission and values of Scripps Health. It gives us the power to move ahead with the knowledge that patient outcomes following pregnancy loss can be greatly improved, while doing all we can to lift up both our caregivers and those entrusting us with compassionate care.”
Dr. Michaelene Fredenburg, President and CEO of the Institute of Reproductive Grief Care, added, “Our mission is to equip frontline medical teams to reduce emotional trauma and set patients on a healthy healing trajectory, bringing comfort and hope during a time of great loss. That the Journal of Emergency Nursing would publish this study is a significant milestone not only for us, but in providing other EDs across the country the knowledge and incentive to adequately prepare their own caregivers for this crucial work. It is our continued goal to lead the way in providing new hope for grieving patients and their families.”
