Family-centered care of the critically III neurologic patient

To determine the immediate needs of families of neurological/neurosurgical patients during the critical care period, family members were interviewed, using a 45 needs statement inventory and an open-ended questionnaire. Each participant addressed all the needs statements and 70% answered the open-ended questions. The participants ranked "to be assured that the best care is being given to the patient" as their number one need. Sixty percent of the participants ranked the physician as the most likely person to meet their needs. When compared, no significant difference was found between the families of neurological/neurosurgical and cardiac/MI patients. Although ranked slightly differently, 13 of the top 15 needs for both groups were the same. The two top needs were ranked in reverse order, "to be assured that the best possible care is being given to the patient," and "to have questions answered honestly," respectively. Nurses caring for the neurological/neurosurgical patients need to be aware that, for the most part, the top needs for families of this group have centered around communication, honesty, and reassurance. Participants do not want to hear false hopes. The family perceived the nurses as giving information regarding transfer and day-to-day occurrences with the patient care.