For many families with a loved one impacted by a terminal illness, the long and difficult grieving process often begins by the support offered at the hospital. Now, thanks to the work of our dedicated nurses, physicians and other hospital staff, Johns Hopkins Howard County Medical Center (JHHCMC) has a new way to offer support and understanding to those who are grieving and navigating end-of-life care at our hospital. 

The bereavement box program, which was developed in 2023, allows nursing staff to order and coordinate the delivery of a box of assorted beverages and snacks to a family in the hospital. The boxes also contain a blank decorated card for staff to write personal messages of comfort to the family. The vision for the program began within the Patient Experience Committee, which was established three years ago as a subcommittee of the Nursing Congress.  

“The bereavement box offers family-centered care during a difficult time of loss and grief,” says Kim Humphrey, RN, BS, BSN, MS, nurse manager, 4 South/Oncology and the current co-chair of the Patient Experience Committee. The concept was first proposed by JHHCMC social worker Colleen Zorn, the first chair of the Patient Experience Committee. The idea was simple but implementing it would require cross-department collaboration. Kim and her co-chair at the time Dina Hess, RN, LCN, were up to the challenge. 

“While there are a lot of patient experience initiatives at the hospital, our committee is different because we have multidisciplinary membership,” says Kim. “In addition to nursing, we have representation from case management, spiritual care, food services and patient experience.” The pair began working with staff from these departments and social work to determine the bereavement box logistics, paying special attention to the unique needs of grieving patients and families.  

“We were committed to Colleen’s vision to enhance end-of-life support for patients and their families and wanted to make sure we got it right,” notes Kim. After extensive research and input from department directors, nurse managers, the Nursing Congress and bedside providers, the committee established a plan to implement the program.  

The boxes have been very well received. They are easy to transport and nothing in them needs to be returned. Families are encouraged to bring items home, so nothing goes to waste. Kim even designed a special logo for the outside of the boxes and a matching placemat.  

Kim says that it’s been an honor to see the impact of the program. “I remember one box in particular that was ordered by the surgical staff to be sent to a family whose loved one was an organ donor,” she said. “They were waiting for the surgeons to finish the procurement procedure when they got the box. The family was very appreciative, and I was so humbled that the surgical staff thought to request a box in that situation. It’s not something you see every day.” 

Presently, bereavement boxes are delivered during the day shift and fulfilled by the dietary department. However, hospital staff have asked to expand the service to evening shifts, and the shift directors have offered to step in to fulfill the requests during the off shifts in the near future. 

JHHCMC now has a streamlined system process where any nursing unit, the Emergency Room, Pediatrics and Surgical Services can request a bereavement box. Kim proudly reports, “The implementation of the bereavement boxes has offered comfort and support to our families as we strive to provide quality patient care and an enhanced experience at JHHCMC.”