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Should relatives be allowed in the resuscitation room?
1Accident and Emergency Department, Queen Mary's University Hospital, London, UK.
Journal of Accident & Emergency Medicine
|December 31, 1997
Summary
Most doctors and nurses surveyed opposed relatives in resuscitation rooms, but A&E nurses favored it. Increased training and support are recommended for managing family presence during cardiac arrest and trauma care.
Area of Science:
- Emergency Medicine
- Medical Ethics
- Patient Care
Background:
- The presence of relatives in resuscitation rooms during critical events like cardiac arrest or major trauma is a sensitive issue.
- Views on this practice vary among healthcare professionals, impacting patient and family support.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the perspectives of doctors and nurses regarding the presence of relatives in the resuscitation room.
- To identify factors influencing healthcare professionals' opinions on family-witnessed resuscitation.
Main Methods:
- A questionnaire-based survey was distributed to doctors and nurses in a London teaching hospital's accident and emergency (A&E) department.
- Respondents were asked about their preference for allowing selected relatives into the resuscitation room and to provide qualitative comments.
Main Results:
- A response rate of 78.6% was achieved, with 81 participants including senior house officers, consultants, registrars, and A&E nurses.
- 63% of respondents opposed the presence of relatives, while 37% were in favor, with A&E nurses showing higher favorability.
- Support for relatives' presence increased with seniority among doctors, and most respondents emphasized the need for additional staff training and counseling.
Conclusions:
- Healthcare staff with less experience in resuscitations and managing distressed families were more likely to oppose relatives' presence.
- Evidence suggests that witnessing resuscitation can aid the bereavement process; therefore, relatives should be offered this opportunity with adequate staff preparation.
- Advanced Life Support (ALS) and Advanced Trauma Life Support (ATLS) training should incorporate the management of distressed relatives observing resuscitation.