Caring for the family of the critically ill patient

Family's needs and considerations are an essential component of intensive care unit (ICU) care. Family satisfaction is related to clinician communication and decision making. Indeed, timely, honest communication is vital to the psychosocial health and satisfaction of the family. Conflict often arises within the family and between the family and the clinicians, over decision making. Again, good communication skills are critical to family satisfaction with decision making and comfort with the care received. Family members have numerous psychosocial changes, and may experience depression,anxiety, or anticipatory grief while their family member is dying in the ICU. Awareness of these conditions, providing support to the families, and allowing family access to the dying individual can assist with meeting the family's desire to see their family member have a peaceful death.