Perinatal bereavement care during COVID-19 in Australian maternity settings.
J Perinat Med
; 50(6): 822-831, 2022 Jul 26.
Article
in English
| MEDLINE | ID: covidwho-2197354
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES:
Perinatal bereavement care is a complex area of practice. The COVID-19 pandemic led to reconfiguration of maternity and perinatal bereavement care services. This study explores Australian health care providers' perspectives of the impact of COVID-19 on the provision of respectful and supportive care following stillbirth or neonatal death.METHODS:
Members of a perinatal bereavement care network were consulted at the commencement of the pandemic in Australia using an online feedback form. Respondents provided ratings and free-text comments on the impact of COVID-19 on implementation of 49 recommendations contained in the Perinatal Society of Australia and New Zealand/Stillbirth Centre of Research Clinical Practice Guideline for Respectful and Supportive Perinatal Bereavement Care.RESULTS:
Responses were received from 35 health care providers who provided perinatal bereavement care in clinical settings or through support organisations in Australia. Major impacts of COVID-19 were reported for 8 of 49 guideline recommendations. Impacts included reduced support for mothers due to visitor restrictions; availability of cultural and spiritual support and interpreters; involvement of support people in decision-making; options for memory-making and commemorative rituals; and staff training and supervision. Adaptations to minimise impacts included virtual consultations, online staff training, use of cold cots, and increased staff support for memory-making.CONCLUSIONS:
Health care providers encounter substantial challenges as they strive to implement best practice perinatal bereavement care in pandemic conditions. Some practice adaptations developed during the COVID-19 pandemic could benefit parents; however, evaluation of their effectiveness and acceptability is needed.Keywords
Full text:
Available
Collection:
International databases
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Hospice Care
/
Perinatal Death
/
COVID-19
Type of study:
Experimental Studies
/
Observational study
/
Prognostic study
Limits:
Child
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Infant, Newborn
/
Pregnancy
Country/Region as subject:
Oceania
Language:
English
Journal:
J Perinat Med
Year:
2022
Document Type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Jpm-2021-0441
Similar
MEDLINE
...
LILACS
LIS