title: A personal reflection: a case study in family-centered care at the National Naval Medical Center in Bethesda, Maryland.
abstract: This article describes the family-centered care that the National Naval Medical Center provided to the family members of a war-wounded soldier. It also includes the compelling written thoughts of a mother's bedside vigil during the 32 days her son spent in a sedated and ventilated state in the intensive care unit.
authors.affiliation: Department of Cardiac Surgery, National Naval Medical Center, Bethesda, Maryland 20889, USA. loretta.aiken@med.navy.mil
authors.forename: Loretta J
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Aiken
authors.forename: Patrice D
authors.initials: PD
authors.lastname: Bibeau
authors.forename: Barbara J
authors.initials: BJ
authors.lastname: Cilento
authors.forename: Robin
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Boutin
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001930:Brain Injuries / Q000451:nursing* / Q000534:rehabilitation / Q000601:surgery; D003422:Critical Care; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000592:standards*; D006760:Hospitalization; D006772:Hospitals, Military; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008396:Maryland