A comprehensive pediatric bereavement program: the patterns of your life.

The death of a child is one of the most painful experiences a parent can endure. Communicating and meeting the needs of parents during this time of crisis is a challenge for nurses. Pediatric intensive care unit and emergency department nurses who may feel overwhelmed and inadequate when working with grieving families, especially with a sudden and unexpected death, are assisted by "The Patterns of Your Life: A Comprehensive Pediatric Bereavement Program." The program is a blending of critical pathways (an element of managed care), educational resources, and family follow-up for 1 year. Preliminary evaluations indicate that the comprehensive bereavement program appears to have many benefits for families and health care staff alike.