title: [Providing information to patient's families on the end of life process in the intensive care unit. Nursing evaluation].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Informing is a process that includes many aspects and when it involves a family member at the end of life it becomes a complicated matter, not only for giving the information, but also for the mood of family members. Thus, the information should be adapted to the language and education of the patient and family. That information must be proper and suitable to the moment.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To describe the aspects of information offered to relatives of patients in the end of life process in Intensive Care Units (ICU), and to determine the nursing evaluation in this process. To evaluate the professionals' attitude on this subject.
  
  
  METHODS
  An observational study conducted on nurses in pediatric and adult ICU nurses of a large public health hospital complexes in the city of Madrid. The data was collected using a questionnaire on the evaluation of care of children who died in pediatric ICU.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The majority of the nurses, 71% (159), said that the information was given in a place alone with the doctor. More than half (52.4%, 118) considered that the information was sufficient/insufficient depending on the day. Significant differences were found as regards the behavior of the staff at the time of a death in (P<.01), with pediatric ICU professionals being more empathetic.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  ICU nurses believe that the information is appropriate for the prognosis and adapted to the patient situation. They also consider the place where the information is given and the attitude of the professionals in the end of life process are adequate.
authors: Supervisora de Urgencia Infantil, Hospital General Universitario Gregorio Marañón, Diplomado Universitario de Enfermería, Máster de Enfermería en Cuidados Críticos, Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Doctora por la Universidad Rey Juan Carlos, Madrid, España. Electronic address: cpf05@telefonica.net.
authors: M Cristina
authors: MC
authors: Pascual-Fernández
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009730:Nursing Assessment; D013727:Terminal Care; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: End of life process; Familia.; Información; Information; Intensive care unit; Pediatrics. Family; Pediatría; Proceso final de vida; Unidades de cuidados intensivos