Telephone notification of relatives of emergency and critical care patients.
Inconsistency in contacting the families of acutely ill patients can negatively affect relatives and induce stress in emergency department staff. Role clarification and performance guidelines are discussed in the context of a telephone notification of relatives checklist, with staff advised in six specific interventions to facilitate consistency; promote clarity; and prevent fears and fantasies, potential misunderstanding, reckless driving, and feelings of helplessness.
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D003142:Communication; D003419:Crisis Intervention; D003422:Critical Care; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D013689:Telephone