title: The experience of family members of ICU patients who require extensive monitoring: a qualitative study.
abstract: A mixed methods study using family research with a phenomenological approach (n = 5 families) was conducted to explore family members' perceptions about the extensive monitoring technology used on their critically ill family member after cardiac surgery, as experienced when family members initially visited the patient in the cardiovascular intensive care unit. Five relevant themes emerged: overwhelmed by all of the machines; feelings of uncertainty; methods of coping; meaning of the numbers on the machines; and need for education.
authors.affiliation: Baylor St Luke's Medical Center, 6720 Bertner Avenue, MC 4-278, Box 77, Houston, TX 77030, USA. Electronic address: Csmith1@StLukesHealth.org.
authors.forename: Claudia DiSabatino
authors.initials: CD
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.affiliation: Cardiovascular Recovery Room, Baylor St Luke's Medical Center, 6720 Bertner Avenue, MC 4-278, Box 192, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
authors.forename: Kristi
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Custard
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D016638:Critical Illness; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000295:instrumentation / Q000379:methods*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D014789:Visitors to Patients
keywords: Cardiovascular intensive care unit; Family research; High-tech monitoring; Instruction; Monitoring equipment; Preoperative education; Qualitative research