title: [Development and implementation of a new information process to critical patients' families: participatory action research].
abstract: The need for information to the families of critically ill patients is still not covered by the professionals involved.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  Develop and implement a new process of informing relatives of critically ill patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  
  
  
  METHODS
  Participatory Action Research guided by the PEPPA Model (A Participatory, Evidence-Based, Patient-Focused Process for Advanced Practice Nursing Role Development, Implementation, and Evaluation). Field of study: general ICU of a tertiary university hospital (December 2011-May 2012).
  
  
  METHODS
  convenience.
  
  
  METHODS
  11 relatives, 10 nurses and 8 doctors with more than one year of experience in ICU.
  
  
  METHODS
  semi-structured interviews and 10 participant observations.
  
  
  METHODS
  content analysis of the interviews, observations and field notes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The EPA identified the need to systematize and structure the information process to families. Having received approval and commitment from the major stakeholders (doctors and nurses), we designed an algorithm and protocol performance, based on the results and on the best available evidence, to improve the process information to families of critically ill patients. To do this, EPA developed the following skills: direct clinical practice, coaching and guidance, consultation, collaboration, leadership, research and ethical decision making.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A plan to improve the relatives of critically ill patients'process of information has been developed and implemented by the EPA. By the evaluation, it will be able to see the benefits of incorporating the advanced role and encourage its implementation in Spain.
authors.forename: Martínez Elena
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Regaira
authors.forename: Calatayud Mónica
authors.initials: CM
authors.lastname: Vázquez
authors.forename: Villanueva Asier
authors.initials: VA
authors.lastname: Morales
mesh_terms: D000465:Algorithms; D016638:Critical Illness; D005190:Family; D006302:Health Services Research; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination