Family Presence During Resuscitation and Invasive Procedures: The Nurse Experience

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to understand the experiences of nurses who participate with families during resuscitation and invasive procedures in the hospital. Seventeen nurses in a large metropolitan area in the northeastern United States were interviewed about their thoughts and feelings about participating with families during these procedures. Conversations were audiotaped and transcribed verbatim for analysis. Transcripts were analyzed using van Manen's technique of isolating thematic statements. Four main themes were identified from the data: forging a connection, engaging the family, transition to acceptance, and a cautious approach.The experience of participating in family presence during resuscitation or invasive procedures can be a positive experience for the nurse by forging a connection with family.The experience for the nurse might include a transition to acceptance and a committed change in practice.

Being There: Inpatients' Perceptions of Family Presence During Resuscitation and Invasive Cardiac Procedures

“…[8][9][10][11][12][13] Research reflects that families value receiving timely information in a transparent manner, comforting their loved one, and having closure when they are present during crisis events. 2,9,[14][15][16][17] Research with health professionals similarly suggests that family presence during resuscitation and invasive procedures helps families grasp the severity of life-threatening events, facilitates communication, supports grieving, allows families to see the efforts of the care team, and reduces litigation risk. 9,15,16,[18][19][20][21] Health professionals also perceive disadvantages, including performance anxiety of resuscitation teams, family disruptions of care, deleterious effects on family, compromised patient confidentiality, increased litigation risk, and family's desires to prolong futile resuscitation.…”

“…2,9,[14][15][16][17] Research with health professionals similarly suggests that family presence during resuscitation and invasive procedures helps families grasp the severity of life-threatening events, facilitates communication, supports grieving, allows families to see the efforts of the care team, and reduces litigation risk. 9,15,16,[18][19][20][21] Health professionals also perceive disadvantages, including performance anxiety of resuscitation teams, family disruptions of care, deleterious effects on family, compromised patient confidentiality, increased litigation risk, and family's desires to prolong futile resuscitation. 9,[18][19][20][22][23][24][25] Research findings have not supported the disadvantages perceived by health professionals 17,19,26,27 ; therefore, major health organizations now encourage family presence during resuscitation.…”

Family Presence During Resuscitation: Impact of Online Learning on Nurses’ Perception and Self-confidence

“…The difference in FPR-BS mean composite scores between the intervention and control groups was not statistically significant on the pretest (P = . 19) or posttest (P = .21).…”

“…17 Research conducted with nurses and other health care providers has shown that FPDR increases family members' understanding and ability to make care decisions, improves emotional support for families and facilitates their grieving, and promotes professionalism among the members of the health care team. 18,19 Yet, despite patient and family support and positive findings regarding its outcomes, FPDR remains controversial and far from the norm in clinical practice. 1,[20][21][22][23] FPDR implementation in bedside care has been linked to nursing because patients and their family members are most likely to express their desires for FPDR to nurses.…”

“…They view nurses as their advocates, and nurses are in a unique position to ensure that the needs of patients and their family members for FPDR are met. 19,24 Ironically, the biggest threat to upholding family-centered care (and FPDR by extension) is nurses. 25 Research has repeatedly shown that nurses are not uniformly supportive of FPDR with adult patients, 2,26-28 and thus FPDR is not commonly implemented at the bedside.…”