Tools to measure families experience in the emergency department: A scoping review

The aim of this review was to map literature on available tools measuring families experience in the emergency department and to identify domains being measured in the tools. A two-stage screening process was employed to determine eligibility of articles. Articles written in English language were retrieved, and data extracted on design, setting, sample and sampling, tool description and details, as well as data collection point used. From 165 articles initially screened, 8 articles were finally included and three tools identified namely: Critical Care Family Needs Inventory, Critical Care Family Needs Inventory-Emergency Department and one researcher-developed questionnaire. The domains measured, which were common to all tools, were those of communication, comfort, and support. Measuring families experience in the ED appears limited and this might be related to the difficulty around conducting research in an ED environment. This review provides important information for hospitals regarding how they engage with families and how they can influence current practice standards and processes, thus assuring improved quality of care.