Identifying factors inhibiting or enhancing family presence during resuscitation in the emergency department

Abstract

The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore inhibitors and enhancing factors surrounding the practice of allowing family presence in the emergency room. Staff and physician interviews were transcribed and decoded for themes. A visual model was built to depict the results. Inhibitors and enhancing factors included the following drivers: staff emotions, personalizing the patient, seeing/hearing everything, closure, emotional support of the family, and "if it were me." The following staff needs were also identified as important issues that needed to be addressed before practice could change further: staff education, optimize environment for privacy, and implementation of a family liaison. The use of qualitative research methods was effective in identifying organizational barriers to transition of evidence into practice.