Profession
ICU outcome shapes relatives' experiences
NEWS IN BRIEF — Posted Dec. 10, 2007
Family members whose loved ones died in the intensive care unit were more satisfied with the care provided than were relatives of ICU survivors, according to a study in the Nov. 13 Chest.
Researchers used a 24-item satisfaction questionnaire to survey 539 family members of ICU patients in several hospitals in the Seattle area.
All families rated the quality of medical care as high. On 12 questionnaire items, family members whose loved ones died rated their satisfaction higher than did family members of survivors. There were no items that survivors' family members rated higher. The largest differences in ratings were in responses to family-centered issues such as inclusion in decision-making, clinician communication, willingness of staff to answer questions and consideration of family needs.
"These findings do not necessarily indicate that dying patients in the ICU receive better care, but they suggest that ICU clinicians may devote extra time and attention to the needs of patients and their families when death is imminent," according to a statement by Patricia A. Grady, PhD, RN, director of the National Institute of Nursing Research, which co-funded the study.
Note: This item originally appeared at http://www.ama-assn.org/amednews/2007/12/10/prbf1210.htm.