title: Holistic care of the critically ill: meeting both patient and family needs.
abstract: Holistic care of the critically ill includes meeting the needs of both the patient and the patient's family. The critical care nurse needs to be prepared to deal with the family's special needs during a time of crisis, including making decisions about the withdrawal of life support. This article addresses such issues, and includes care of the family once technological support has been withdrawn and the patient is transferred from the Intensive Care Unit.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Bouley
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: von Hofe
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Blatt
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006694:Holistic Health; D006801:Humans; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations