Critical Care and Emergency Nurses' Attitudes and Perceptions Regarding Practicing Family Presence During...

Background and Purpose: Family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) has been discussed for about three decades, yet nurses differ in their attitudes toward FPDR. This study aimed to investigate critical care (CC) and emergency department (ED) nurses' attitudes and perceptions regarding the benefits, limitations, and challenges of FPDR in their specific settings. Methods: Qualitative descriptive approach. Participants in the Midwestern United States were recruited through purposeful sampling online and in person. Results: A total of 21 participants were recruited. The study identified key themes, including varying definitions of "presence" and "family member," setting-specific attitudes toward FPDR, and nursing and family cultural influences on FPDR. Benefits of FPDR included family support, increased family trust in nurses, and family communication of valuable patient information to nurses. Nurses' perspectives and attitudes regarding FPDR in CC and ED settings ranged from support and advocacy to opposition. CC nurses from cardiothoracic units strictly opposed FPDR practice due to the perceived risk of interference with advanced life support machines, limited space, and potential for trauma, but suggested remote presence via the webcam as an alternative. Implications for Practice: Findings can provide a foundation for an educational program that highlights variant benefits of FPDR with consideration of the risks noted by CC and ED nurses and enhances stakeholder awareness of FPDR limitations and possibilities in these settings.