title: The needs of families accompanying injured patients into the emergency department in a tertiary hospital in Gauteng.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Families are not prepared for traumatic injuries of loved ones. Emergency nurses have the important role of caring for patients and families in this time of crisis. Family needs in the critical care setting have been explored using the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI), however little is known about family needs in the emergency department.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This study sought to determine the needs of family members accompanying injured patients into the emergency department, and if these needs were met.
  
  
  METHODS
  A quantitative, descriptive, study was conducted in a level 1 trauma facility in Johannesburg, South Africa. The population included families of patients admitted to the emergency department, sampling 100 participants. The instrument, based on the CCFNI, was validated in a pilot study in Melbourne, Australia and re-evaluated using the Cronbach Alpha validity test to ensure internal consistency.Five themes were explored: 'meaning', 'proximity', 'communication', 'comfort' and 'support' and data were analysed using descriptive statistics. Responses to open-ended questions were analysed using content analysis. Permission from the Human Research Ethics Committee was granted and participants were ensured confidentiality and the option for counselling if required.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Themes ranked highly important were 'meaning' and 'communication'. Satisfaction was highest for 'meaning'. Low satisfaction levels for 'communication' were found. Issues regarding prolonged time spent in the emergency department and discrimination were raised.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These findings have a negative impact on the family's satisfaction with care and it is recommended that the nurse's role in family care be further explored and emphasised.
authors.affiliation: Department of Nursing Education, University of the Witwatersrand. meghan.botes@wits.ac.za.
authors.forename: Meghan L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Botes
authors.forename: Gayle
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Langley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D017028:Caregivers; D004636:Emergency Service, Hospital; D004638:Emergency Treatment; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009104:Multiple Trauma / Q000451:nursing / Q000628:therapy*; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009736:Nursing Process; D013019:South Africa; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Family needs; emergency department; emergency nurses.