Family needs of critically ill patients in the emergency department.
BACKGROUND
Family members' experience a range of physiological, psychological and emotional impacts when accompanying a critically ill relative in the emergency department. Family needs are influenced by their culture and the context of care, and accurate clinician understanding of these needs is essential for patient- and family-centered care delivery. The aim of this study was to describe the needs of Taiwanese family members accompanying critically ill patients in the emergency department while waiting for an inpatient bed and compare these to the perceptions of emergency nurses.


METHODS
A prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted in a large medical center in Taiwan. Data were collected from 150 family members and 150 emergency nurses who completed a Chinese version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory.


RESULTS
Family members ranked needs related to 'communication with family members,' as most important, followed by 'family member participation in emergency department care', 'family member support' and 'organizational comfort'; rankings were similar to those of emergency nurses. Compared to nurses, family members reported higher scores for the importance of needs related to 'communication with family members' and 'family members' participation in emergency department care'.


CONCLUSIONS
Family members place greater importance than emergency nurses on the need for effective communication.
Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC; School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: pjhsiao@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
Ping-Ru
PR
Hsiao
Deakin University, Geelong, Centre for Nursing Research - Deakin University and Monash Health Partnership, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, Australia. Electronic address: Bernice.redley@deakin.edu.au.
Bernice
B
Redley
Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: yjshiao@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
Ya-Chu
YC
Hsiao
Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: cclin01@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
Chun-Chih
CC
Lin
Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: cyhan@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
Chin-Yen
CY
Han
School of Nursing, National Taipei University of Nursing and Health Science, Taiwan, ROC. Electronic address: hungru@ntunhs.edu.tw.
Hung-Ru
HR
Lin
D000328:Adult; D016638:Critical Illness / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004632:Emergency Medical Services / Q000592:standards; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital / Q000458:organization & administration; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D022143:Family Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013624:Taiwan; D000078329:Workforce
CCFNI-ED; Communication; Critically-ill patient; Emergency nursing; Family needs; Inpatient boarding