Direct Observation of Family Engagement Practice in a Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit

Area of Science:

• Cardiology
• Critical Care Medicine
• Patient and Family Centered Care

Background:

• Family engagement is increasingly recognized as crucial in healthcare settings.
• Understanding family presence and engagement in cardiovascular intensive care units (CVICU) is vital for improving patient care.
• Limited observational data exists on family engagement in CVICU environments.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe family engagement practices within a CVICU.
• To explore the relationship between family engagement and patient outcomes, specifically hospital readmission rates.
• To provide a foundation for developing interventions to enhance family engagement in critical care.

Main Methods:

• Direct observational study of 104 patients in a CVICU.
• Recording the presence, number, and duration of family members at the bedside.
• Categorizing forms of family engagement: communication, active presence, and direct care contribution.

Main Results:

• Family members were present for 58% of observations, with an average of 1.3 members per patient.
• Common engagement forms included communication (100%), active presence (59%), and direct care (57%).
• Patients with family present had significantly lower 30-day hospital readmission rates (5% vs. 16%, P=.05).

Conclusions:

• Family engagement is prevalent in CVICU settings and takes various forms.
• The presence of family is associated with improved patient outcomes, including reduced readmissions.
• Findings support the development of targeted interventions to optimize family engagement in critical care.