Susan
I am sure you will get some responses about how to utilize Kinnser to numerically range risk for complicated grief. Whenever we discuss this topic, though, I like to point out the down side to numerically assessing grief risk. If we do it, of course assigning a number should only be ONE part of the total assessment for whether grief is complicated, what interventions are needed, etc. As we know, it is much harder to quantify subjective human emotional, social, spiritual experience than it is to assign a number to physical symptoms such as pain. How do we rate anger at God on a 1-10 scale, for example? How I feel about a significant loss can vary minute by minute. The medical model would like us to assign a number to these experiences in part so (QA, regulators, researchers maybe) can determine what set of interventions would be successful within a given numerical range. I have seen Surveyors (who are generally never bereavement experts) want to see a specific set of interventions based on a numerical range. As we know it is never that easy with grief- and grief is not a symptom in the way, say, that pain is. So as long as we are documenting other assessment factors, for instance, social support, faith support, history of grief experience, coping skills, etc, we should be fine.
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Robin Fiorelli LCSW
Sr. Director of Bereavement and Volunteers
VITAS
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Original Message:
Sent: 06-06-2017 13:44
From: Susan Valley
Subject: Range for Low, Moderate, High Risk?
I'm taking over the Bereavement role at my agency and getting up to speed. What ranges do you tend to use to flag for low, moderate, or high bereavement risk? We use Kinnser for our EMR, with Bereavement Assessment Scores that range from around 10-35+. Any suggestions are appreciated!
Any suggestions for good resources to check for this information would be appreciated as well.
Thanks, and I look forward to engaging with this section!
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Susan Valley, LCSW
Capitol Hospice
Social Worker and Bereavement Coordinator
Austin, TX.
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