New Zealand hospice staff perspectives on 'Xcellent Gowns' for big bodied palliative care patients: a qualitative study.

Introduction A handful of reports detail efforts to redesign traditional hospital gowns to address common concerns related to patient comfort and privacy for big bodied patients. Results suggest that improving gown design has the potential to improve both the patient and carer experience and satisfaction of care. Aim This study aimed to ascertain the utility of gowns purposely designed for big bodied patients (named Xcellent Gowns) from a staff perspective. Methods Qualitative semi-structured interviews were conducted in 2022 with 14 hospice staff members. Interview transcripts were uploaded to DedooseTM . Data were analysed utilising reflexive thematic analysis according to a six-phase process including data familiarisation, iterative data coding, and theme development and refinement. Results The qualitative analysis of the interview data identified four main themes: (1) the gown experience, (2) fit-for-purpose, (3) love and dignity, (4) design principles. Each theme is presented and discussed with illustrative quotes from participants' interview transcripts. Discussion The perspectives of the staff participants in this study confirm research findings from other healthcare settings, that the patient and carer experience may be improved through focused redesign of this vital item of patient clothing.

Carer experiences of inpatient hospice care for people with dementia, delirium and related cognitive impairment.

AIM: This study aimed to explore carer experiences of inpatient unit (IPU) hospice care for people with dementia, delirium and related cognitive impairment, following implementation of the Te Kete Marie (TKM) initiative aimed at improving care for this patient group. METHODS: Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with 10 carers of people affected by these conditions to ascertain their experiences of the care provided during the IPU stay. RESULTS: Analysis of interviews found carer experience could be described by three underlying themes: staff attunement, environmental support, and discharge preparedness, which contributed to a central theme of carer confidence. CONCLUSION: The findings suggest that carer confidence is enhanced by: staff awareness and response to individual patient needs, interests and preferences, as well as carer requirements for information and consultation; an environment that engenders experience of comfort, safety, flexibility, privacy and outdoor connection; carer preparedness for patients who subsequently transition home or to alternative residential care.

Te Kete Marie-the peaceful basket: an initiative for supporting people with dementia or delirium.

This article describes the development of a toolkit for interdisciplinary team members to use to improve care for people with dementia or delirium in a hospice inpatient unit. An occupational therapist and two nurses identified that caring for the increasing number of people with dementia and delirium in the unit was a challenge for staff. The authors took a collaborative quality improvement approach to address the problem, engaging both the hospice interdisciplinary team and external community partners. The overall aim was to establish, reinforce and maintain best practice of care for people with a cognitive impairment within the Mary Potter Hospice short stay (average admission 11 days) environment, which the authors believe is a largely unexplored venture in a hospice inpatient unit setting.