Understanding Health Care Professionals' Views of Family Presence During Pediatric Resuscitation

Abstract

Objective To examine the conflicting perceptions that health care professionals hold regarding family presence during pediatric resuscitation. Methods In phase 1, 137 health care professionals completed a 23-item questionnaire about their views on family presence and their perceptions of their opponents' views on family presence. In phase 2, 12 phase 1 respondents were interviewed about the effects that family presence may have on patients' families and on trauma teams. Results All respondents indicated that legal concerns and risks were important factors during family presence; however, respondents in favor of family presence believed that legal concerns and risks were minimized when patients' families were present whereas respondents who were opposed believed the opposite. Respondents who were opposed assumed that respondents who were in favor of family presence were less sympathetic and concerned about families, trauma teams, and health care providers; respondents in favor of family presence assumed that respondents who were opposed were overly preoccupied with legal concerns and potential risks involved with family presence during pediatric resuscitations. All respondents believed that patients' families and trauma teams are affected by family presence. Specifically, respondents in favor of family presence believed that families and trauma team members are positively affected whereas opponents believed the opposite. Conclusions These findings provide a deeper understanding of the views of health care professionals and how these views might affect the delivery of family-centered care. (American Journal of Critical Care. 2011;20:199-208

Family Presence During Resuscitation and Invasive Procedures in Pediatric Critical Care: A Systematic Review

“…2 Some health care providers have stated that they are afraid of family members critiquing performance, increasing staff stress, causing distractions, and impairing care. 2,[7][8][9] Providers also fear that witnessing resuscitation adversely affects family members and promotes litigation. 2,[7][8][9] Nurses have been noted to oppose parent presence to a lesser extent than their physician colleagues.…”

“…2,[7][8][9] Providers also fear that witnessing resuscitation adversely affects family members and promotes litigation. 2,[7][8][9] Nurses have been noted to oppose parent presence to a lesser extent than their physician colleagues. 10 Family members experience a great deal of stress and anxiety while their child is hospitalized in critical condition.…”

Vantagens da presença da família numa reanimação pediátrica ou em procedimentos dolorosos

“…Su presencia favorece la participación en las decisiones y la disponibilidad de proporcionar informaciones relevantes del estado clínico (15) . También demuestra que la presencia de los familiares en estas situaciones, reduce el estrés/ansiedad tanto de los niños como de los familiares (16,17) .…”

“…Los padres expresan que al encontrarse presentes, tienen algún control sobre la situación, pueden participar en las decisiones y favorecer la confianza en el equipo (15) .…”

“…Tabla II -Resultados de la investigación El estudio que se refiere a los procedimientos de reanimación pediátrica objetiva analizar las percepciones conflictivas que los profesionales de salud tienen sobre la presencia de la familia durante la reanimación pediátrica (15) . Los restantes artículos investigaron si la presencia de los padres es un factor de distracción para los niños sometidos a un procedimiento doloroso (16) e identifica las percepciones de los padres o cuidadores sobre su presencia en el post-operatorio inmediato (17) .…”