Family Witnessed Resuscitation Essay
Introduction
This essay is focused in the Emergency Department and specifically the concept of family presence during resuscitation. Morgan (1997,p13) defines witnessed resuscitation as “ an imitative which allows relatives to be present in the resuscitation room while their loved one is being witnessed”. The author works in an Emergency department and from experience it has become apparent that many relatives on arrival to the emergency department request to be with their family relative. It is difficult as an emergency nurse to divert families’ members to a loud and full waiting room. While some members of the emergency team are prepared to let relatives into the resuscitation room, many are not.
In result this essay will focus …show more content…
Not all healthcare workers feel comfortable with family presence for many reasons as shown in the above findings like problems dealing with conflict and increased levels of stress. Healthcare providers would prefer to have a policy in place on family presence although it has to be said that a policy cannot cover all scenarios. Currently in our Emergency department is there is no policy regarding family witnessed resuscitation. There is a need for the development of written guidelines on the practice to meet the needs of patients, families and staff by providing consistent, safe and caring practices for all involved. 7.
Many of the health-care professionals who oppose FWR fear distractions to the CPR team by the family during resuscitation. Helmer et al (2002) state that the resuscitation suite should be free from distractions, which includes family members. To date, no study has demonstrated that FWR either improves or compromises resuscitative efforts.
Another argument raised by those opposed to FWR is that allowing the presence of family members violates patient confidentiality and the patient’s right to privacy. Helmer et al (2007) state that “we must first protect the rights of our patient to optimal care, confidentiality and privacy. The needs of family members, as important as they are, must come second.”
Many health-care professionals also oppose FWR because they fear it will increase the risk of litigation and will cause psychological trauma to family
This essay is focused in the Emergency Department and specifically the concept of family presence during resuscitation. Morgan (1997,p13) defines witnessed resuscitation as “ an imitative which allows relatives to be present in the resuscitation room while their loved one is being witnessed”. The author works in an Emergency department and from experience it has become apparent that many relatives on arrival to the emergency department request to be with their family relative. It is difficult as an emergency nurse to divert families’ members to a loud and full waiting room. While some members of the emergency team are prepared to let relatives into the resuscitation room, many are not.
In result this essay will focus …show more content…
Not all healthcare workers feel comfortable with family presence for many reasons as shown in the above findings like problems dealing with conflict and increased levels of stress. Healthcare providers would prefer to have a policy in place on family presence although it has to be said that a policy cannot cover all scenarios. Currently in our Emergency department is there is no policy regarding family witnessed resuscitation. There is a need for the development of written guidelines on the practice to meet the needs of patients, families and staff by providing consistent, safe and caring practices for all involved. 7.
Many of the health-care professionals who oppose FWR fear distractions to the CPR team by the family during resuscitation. Helmer et al (2002) state that the resuscitation suite should be free from distractions, which includes family members. To date, no study has demonstrated that FWR either improves or compromises resuscitative efforts.
Another argument raised by those opposed to FWR is that allowing the presence of family members violates patient confidentiality and the patient’s right to privacy. Helmer et al (2007) state that “we must first protect the rights of our patient to optimal care, confidentiality and privacy. The needs of family members, as important as they are, must come second.”
Many health-care professionals also oppose FWR because they fear it will increase the risk of litigation and will cause psychological trauma to family