Using research to determine support for a policy on family presence during resuscitation.
National guidelines and professional organizations have recommended allowing family presence during resuscitation and bedside invasive procedures. Studies found that only 5% of critical care units have written policies. Periodic requests by family members prompted the creation of a task force, including nurses, physicians, and respiratory therapists, to develop this controversial policy. Before development, a research study of healthcare personnel attitudes, concerns, and beliefs toward family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and bedside invasive procedures was done. This descriptive and correlational study showed support for family presence by critical care and emergency department nurses. Findings revealed both support and non-support for families to be present during resuscitative efforts. Providing family presence as an option offers an opportunity for reluctant healthcare team members to refuse their presence and an opportunity for those who support family presence to welcome the family.
Basol
Roberta
R
Intensive Care Unit, St Cloud Hospital, St Cloud, Minnesota 56303, USA. Basolr@centracare.com
Ohman
Kathleen
K
Simones
Joyce
J
Skillings
Kirsten
K
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003422:Critical Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000523:psychology; D034462:Dissent and Disputes; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000458:organization & administration*; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015146:Midwestern United States; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D016134:Organizational Policy; D010564:Personnel, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D012151:Resuscitation / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000523:psychology