Emergency nurses' experiences of caring for brought-in-dead persons and their relatives -a qualitative study

Aim
To explore how emergency nurses experienced caring for brought-in-dead persons and their relatives, and what hindered or facilitated this care in an emergency setting.
Design
A qualitative study using Interpretive Description.
Methods
Data were collected as individual interviews with 13 nurses at seven Danish emergency departments from February to June 2023.
Findings
Our analysis revealed the overarching theme ‘Navigating the complexities of providing holistic care in a constrained environment’, covering five sub-themes: (1) An important yet not recognized nursing task; (2) Pending care needs of the living and the dead; (3) No physical or mental room for the brought-in-dead persons; (4) Utilizing personal experiences in the absence of formal education and training and (5) Navigating professionalism and empathy.
Conclusion
Emergency departments posed unique challenges in providing care to brought-in-dead persons and their relatives.
Implications for the Profession
The unrecognized nature of caring for brought-in-dead persons and their relatives suggests a universal undervaluation of this care in emergency departments.
Impact
Care for brought-in-dead persons and their relatives is neither recognized nor evidence-based. This study initiates a discussion of the circumstances for delivering care for persons brought-in-dead and has an impact on nurses and nursing leaders employed in emergency departments.
Reporting Method
The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ).
Patient or Public Contribution
None.