Family presence during emergency situations: the opinion of nurses in the adult emergency department

Abstract

ResumoEnquadramento: A presença de familiares no serviço de urgência é uma realidade. Em algumas situações como as de emergência a presença de familiares é algo controverso para os enfermeiros. Objetivos: Conhecer a opinião dos enfermeiros sobre a presença de familiares em situações de emergência no serviço de urgência de adultos. Metodologia: Estudo exploratório descritivo, recorrendo-se à aplicação de um questionário numa amostragem por conveniência. A amostra foi constituída por 233 enfermeiros dos 4 serviços de urgência polivalentes da região de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo. Resultados: Verifica-se que a maioria dos enfermeiros não concorda com a presença de familiares em contextos de emergência. Destacam-se como vantagens, o fornecimento de informação clínica à equipa e o apoio ao doente, e como desvantagens, a ansiedade dos familiares e o aumento do stresse nos profissionais. Conclusão: Os enfermeiros têm uma opinião desfavorável à presença da família em situações de emergência. Seria importante refletir sobre a prática clínica na sala de reanimação considerando-se o F de família após a prestação dos cuidados de emergência segundo o ABCDE. Palavras-chave: família; ressuscitação; enfermeiros; serviço hospitalar de emergência AbstractBackground: Family presence in the emergency department is a reality. However, in some situations, namely emergency situations, family presence is a controversial issue for nurses. Objectives: To identify nurses' opinions about family presence in emergency situations in adult emergency departments. Methodology: A descriptive exploratory study was conducted using a questionnaire in a convenience sample. The sample consisted of 233 nurses from four multipurpose emergency departments in the Lisbon and Tagus Valley region. Results: Most nurses in the study do not agree with family presence in emergency settings. Some of the identified advantages included the provision of clinical information to the team and patient support, whereas the disadvantages related to family anxiety and increased stress for professionals. Conclusion: Nurses have an unfavorable opinion about family presence in emergency situations. It would be important to reflect on the clinical practices in the resuscitation room so that the F for family can be included after the ABCDE approach to emergency care delivery.

Determination of the anxiety and the needs of family members of critical care patients in emergency departments

“…However, this may not always occur. Batista et al (2) found that the presence of family members in EDs increased family anxiety and health professional stress levels. The average STAI-S score of the participants in this study reflects a medium anxiety level (mean=49.67).…”

“…Emergency departments (ED) are the environments that require skilled professionals to take care of critical patients (1,2). Patients and their family members face various problems in the EDs, both in Turkey and over the world.…”

Acolhimento de enfermagem à pessoa vítima de acidente de motocicleta e ao familiar acompanhante

“…Although they are frequent in motorcycle accidents, there is a gap in measures or resources capable of preventing or reducing this type of injury. 23 Regarding the characteristics of the participating professionals in the research, those with many years of experience in urgency and emergency stood out; these findings are also revealed in a study developed in Portugal, 24 which can produce a feeling of more security in the care provided in the victims of accidents and in their relatives.…”

A Corbin and Strauss Grounded Theory on the Experiences of Patients, Relatives, and Health Professionals About the Family Presence During Emergency Care

“…12 This is particularly because many physicians and nurses argue that the practice is controversial, requiring greater depth of knowledge before its implementation. [18][19][20] In Latin America, the scenario is not different. Studies conducted in Chile, 21 Experiences of Family Presence During Emergency Care E3 Colombia, 22 Mexico, 23 Argentina, 24 and Brazil 7,25 point out that the family inclusion in emergency care continues to occur in a variable, inconsistent, and nonsystematized way.…”

“…However, many health units in these countries still do not follow these recommendations 12. This is particularly because many physicians and nurses argue that the practice is controversial, requiring greater depth of knowledge before its implementation 18–20…”