Needs of Families of Critically Ill Patients in Latin America: A Multicenter Study

Care in ICUs is often focused on critically ill patients, leaving the needs of their families overlooked. In Latin America, it is necessary to gain insight into these needs for future standardised protocols focused on family-centred care.

To determine the needs of family members of patients hospitalised in intensive care units (ICUs) in five Latin American countries: Colombia, Argentina, Mexico, Ecuador, and Peru.

Multicentre cross-sectional descriptive observational study. The short version of the CCFNI scale (Critical Care Family Needs Inventory) was applied to identify the needs of families of critically ill patients. A total of 1843 family members were included. The statistical software Jamovi 2.3.28.0 was used for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to present the results. The STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies was used in this study.

Total of 1843 participants from five Latin American countries were analysed; 63.05% were women, and the median age was 44 years (IQR: 34-55). The overall median family-needs score was 21 (IQR: 17-24). The greatest perceived needs were identified in the 'Information and family satisfaction' and 'Perceived improvements' dimensions, whereas lower levels of need were reported in 'Proximity and safety' and 'Care provided by healthcare staff.' Scores differed significantly by ICU type (p < 0.001), being higher in surgical ICUs and lower in maternal ICUs. Participants who travelled less than 10 min to the hospital reported lower needs than those with longer travel times (p = 0.005).

Families of critically ill patients in five Latin American countries reported prominent needs related to information and family satisfaction, as well as perceived improvements in care, with family-needs scores varying according to ICU type and travel time to the hospital.