[Impact of the relatives of the critical patient. In light of a protocolized reception]

Know the degree of satisfaction and the level of information that the family members have after a protocolized reception (it includes the creation of informative guide).

We conducted an observational and descriptive prospective study about the relatives of the patients in hospital to ICU during a year. We utilized a sampling technique by desirability. We distributed 120 questionnaires, there were fulfilled 70. The variables studied were: level of information and value for the relative of the guide, and degree of satisfaction concerning the type of reception, confidence felt and feeling of integration and safety.

The sample studied was of 70 family members with an average age of 51 years (16.23), the majority they were husband/wife (50%) or sons (31.4%). Hundred per cent of the family members perceive feelings in the moment of the hospitalisation that are manifested through severity (32%), distress (21%), fear (19%), and others. The results of the variables with regard to the protocol of reception and the information showed that 93% of the family members were received by the nurse, and 41% recalls that the nurse was presented by her name. Eighty-seven per cent received the informative guide and 3% did not recall it. With regard to the informative guide 76% manifested the need for the existence of a guide and 86% considered that it provides enough information. The results of the variables with regard to the satisfaction were measured with a scale from 1 to 10 utilizing the median value as instrument of analysis, obtaining a median of 9 in all the questions referred to: feeling of reception, confidence, information, value of the information facilitated by the nurse and feeling of integration in the process that the patient experiences.

The degree of satisfaction it is high after a protocolized reception. It is deduced that the information that is provided through the informative guide responds to the needs of the family members which feel implied and express a feeling of security.