Perception of Family Members Regarding Needs of Patient's Family Members in Critical Care Units

Introduction: Admission of an important member of family in intensive care unit (ICU) is highly important for medical professionals. During staying in hospital, family members have perceived panic experience of anxiety and stress. The purpose of the study was to assess family perception regarding needs of patient’s family members in intensive care units (ICUs). Methods: A quantitative non-experimental, descriptive cross sectional research design was used to achieve research objectives. Data of 116 family members were collected by using adopted and modified Urdu Version of Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI) questionnaire. Findings: Findings showed that family members have felt higher needs regarding their patients’ needs while admitted in ICUs. Needs for assurance was found as the highest need for family members with mean score of 4.66±0.37. Information need was considered as higher needs with mean score of 4.61±0.43 and needs for comfort was constituted as high need with mean score of 4.56±0.56 as compare to need for support with mean score of 4.36±0.50 and need for proximity with mean score of 4.25±0.71 and statistically significant difference was measured at p-value < 0.001. Conclusion: Findings support the evidence in literature from previous studies. Family assurance and information were highly be prioritized by all medical professionals once their patients admitted in ICUs. Family members then timely decide treatment option about patients whether prognosis is good or worst. Recommendations: Hospital and nursing administration collaboratively work to emphasize policy on visitation and include family member in ward rounds. Appropriate provision of information flow towards family member regarding patient’s condition must be enhanced to assure family regarding satisfaction of needs.