[Satisfaction survey administered to the relatives of critical patients]

To know the family needs of patients admitted to our Intensive Care Unit (ICU).

Prospective, descriptive study performed over a 6-month period.

ICU of the Insular University Hospital in Gran Canary Islands.

Adult patients admitted to the ICU for more than 48 hours who were discharged to the hospitalization ward.

A modified Society of Critical Care Medicine Family Needs Assessment instrument was administered to the first-degree relatives of patients after discharge by face-to-face interviews by not-informing personnel.

Data were gathered on demographic information on the patients and their interviewed relatives, reason for admission, and evaluation on information, care, empathy with the personnel and comfort.

Family members of 99 patients were interviewed. A total of 80% of those interviewed considered the information had been in terms that they could understand, that they understood what was happening to the patient and why things were being done. However, 74% answered that the personnel had never explained the equipment being used. About 90% thought that they had received sincere information and that adequate care was being given. Considering empathy with the personnel, almost all considered they were nice but that 73% of them had never been asked if they needed anything. A total of 85% of them were sure that someone would phone them if there was any significant change in their relative's condition, and they felt comfortable during the time of visit; 74% did not feel alone or isolation.

Most family members were highly satisfied with the care provided to them and their relatives in the intensive care unit, but the need to improve some aspects of the communication with families was identified.