Family presence during resuscitation - The experiences and views of Polish nurses

Abstract

Understanding healthcare professionals perceptions of family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) may help in choosing an effective strategy of implementing this concept in everyday clinical practice.

Objectives: To determine the experiences and views of Polish nurses about family witnessed resuscitation.

Design: A cross sectional survey study.

Setting: Delegates (n = 720) attending the Polish Association of Anaesthesia and Intensive Care Nurses conference participated in the study. A total of 240 questionnaires were correctly completed and returned.

Main outcome measures: Validation of the Polish version of the tool was undertaken. Exploratory factor analysis extracted three main factors: staff opinions on the benefits of FPDR (α-Cronbach 0.86), opinions on the negative effects (α-Cronbach 0.74) and general views on this practice (α-Cronbach 0.54). These three extracted factors were defined as dependent variables.

Results: Out of the sample, 113 (47%) nurses worked in adult intensive care units (ICUs) and 127 (53%) in other acute clinical settings. ICU nurses reported having experiences of FPDR (n = 66, 54%); out of this group 12 (10%) had positive encounters and 46 (38%) reported negative ones. ICU nurses had undetermined opinions on the benefits and potential negative effects of FPDR. Having positive experiences with FPDR influenced ICU nurses' views on the negative effects of FPDR (Z = -2.16, p< 0.03).

Conclusion: A positive experience of FPDR influences a nurse's views and attitudes in this evolving area of practice.

Keywords: Attitudes of healthcare personnel; Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation; Family presence during resuscitation; Intensive care nurses.