An exploration of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) staff experiences of attending pre-brief and debrief groups surrounding a patient's death or redirection of care

Abstract This paper presents the findings of a service evaluation project exploring staff experiences of Neonatal Intensive Care Unit staff support groups. The Neonatal Intensive Care Unit at a local regional hospital, developed and provided staff support groups before (pre-brief) and after (debrief) a death of an infant on the ward. These groups were run between December 2018 and July 2019. Content analysis was used to understand and summarise patterns and themes within the data. Frequency data was used to identify how these themes linked with staff ratings of the groups. The majority of staff had a positive experience of the group and recommended expanding the support groups to wider intensive care units. A subgroup of staff felt vulnerable in the groups and recommendations were put forward to promote the group's psychological safety. Directions for future service evaluations are discussed.