Critical Care Familiy Needs
Critical Care Family Needs
Debra Graves
University of Tennessee at Martin: Ripley Center
Nursing 350, Spring 2013: Transition to Professional Nursing
Abstract
When loved ones are admitted to a critical care area, the effect on the family as a unit can be serious and long term. Traditional rules for this area have not been advantageous to meeting the needs of the client with inclusion of the family and significant others, but have served as a shield for the healthcare staff. Research shows barriers in meeting the needs of family members that require solutions based on evidence rather than tradition. Critical Care Family Needs Families of critical care patients experience loss that has not routinely been a part of the patient care plan, yet plays a significant role in the recovery process. Nurses have been the profession that interacts most consistently with the family and as such have the responsibility of addressing the needs of the patient and their loved ones. Customarily the family is excluded from the bedside except under limited visitation. This practice denies the value of family support and prevents nursing interventions in meeting the family needs. Providing support and ensuring a positive outcome for the family should be included in the critical care pathway.
Review of Literature A review of journal articles that address the needs of critical care family members reveals ongoing research on this subject. Evidence of needed change in the routine of critical care is revealed in multiple research projects. From the perspective of nursing practice, a more open communication with the family would be a step in resolving emotional stress experienced with the hospitalization of a significant other. The research of Siddiqui, Sheikh, and Kamal (2011) attempted to determine what the family of intensive care unit (ICU) patients expected and were the expectations fulfilled. An open-ended questionnaire was created to explore the uniqueness of
Debra Graves
University of Tennessee at Martin: Ripley Center
Nursing 350, Spring 2013: Transition to Professional Nursing
Abstract
When loved ones are admitted to a critical care area, the effect on the family as a unit can be serious and long term. Traditional rules for this area have not been advantageous to meeting the needs of the client with inclusion of the family and significant others, but have served as a shield for the healthcare staff. Research shows barriers in meeting the needs of family members that require solutions based on evidence rather than tradition. Critical Care Family Needs Families of critical care patients experience loss that has not routinely been a part of the patient care plan, yet plays a significant role in the recovery process. Nurses have been the profession that interacts most consistently with the family and as such have the responsibility of addressing the needs of the patient and their loved ones. Customarily the family is excluded from the bedside except under limited visitation. This practice denies the value of family support and prevents nursing interventions in meeting the family needs. Providing support and ensuring a positive outcome for the family should be included in the critical care pathway.
Review of Literature A review of journal articles that address the needs of critical care family members reveals ongoing research on this subject. Evidence of needed change in the routine of critical care is revealed in multiple research projects. From the perspective of nursing practice, a more open communication with the family would be a step in resolving emotional stress experienced with the hospitalization of a significant other. The research of Siddiqui, Sheikh, and Kamal (2011) attempted to determine what the family of intensive care unit (ICU) patients expected and were the expectations fulfilled. An open-ended questionnaire was created to explore the uniqueness of
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