Educating Emergency Department Nurses About Miscarriage

Area of Science:

• Perinatal care
• Emergency medicine
• Bereavement counseling

Background:

• Women often report dissatisfaction with emergency miscarriage care.
• Key areas of dissatisfaction include communication, validation, and discharge information.
• Early pregnancy loss can have a profound and individualized emotional impact.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the effectiveness of a perinatal bereavement education program for emergency department nurses.
• To equip nurses with specialized knowledge and communication skills for miscarriage care.
• To improve the sensitivity and support provided to women experiencing early pregnancy loss.

Main Methods:

• A 4-hour Resolve Through Sharing curriculum was delivered to emergency department nurses.
• Education covered policy, medical aspects, assessing the meaning of loss, handling remains, and communication strategies.
• The program focused on overcoming emergency department-specific care barriers.

Main Results:

• Nurses actively engaged with the educational content and participated in evaluation.
• Participants demonstrated an understanding of the need for revised policies and practices.
• The education aimed to foster better communication and a more supportive patient relationship.

Conclusions:

• Perinatal bereavement education is crucial for enhancing emergency miscarriage care.
• Nurses require specific skills to address the emotional and practical needs of women experiencing early pregnancy loss.
• Recommendations are provided for improving nursing practices in emergency departments for miscarriage care.