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Abstract

Background

Dying with dignity in intensive care units (ICUs) presents ethical and practical challenges, particularly within high-tech environments that often prioritize life-saving interventions over holistic end-of-life care. Respecting patient dignity requires attention to physical, emotional, and spiritual needs, as well as to privacy and family involvement.

Aim

This study aimed to explore the experiences of intensive care nurses in providing a dignified death to their patients, with a focus on understanding the factors that influence this process, the challenges encountered, and the care approaches employed.

Research design

A descriptive qualitative design was employed. Data were collected through in-depth semi-structured interviews and analyzed using Braun and Clarke’s thematic analysis framework.

Participants and research context

Twenty ICU nurses from eight different hospitals participated in the study. Participants were selected through purposive and snowball sampling techniques.

Ethical considerations

Ethical approval was obtained from the institutional review board. All participants gave informed consent, and the study followed COREQ guidelines.

Findings

Two main themes and eight sub-themes were identified. The first theme, Practices that support death with dignity, included peace of body, ensuring privacy, space for family farewells, fulfilling last wishes, and meeting spiritual needs. The second theme, Obstacles to death with dignity, included lack of staff, desensitization to death, and lack of knowledge.

Conclusions

ICU nurses play a vital role in promoting dignified death by addressing patients’ physical, emotional, and spiritual needs. However, systemic barriers such as limited staffing, emotional burnout, and insufficient training hinder the consistent delivery of such care. Institutional reforms focusing on workforce support, education, and culturally sensitive protocols are essential to improve the quality of end-of-life care in ICUs.

Keywords

death dignity intensive care units nurses nursing qualitative research

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