Family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation has been a topic of intense debate within the medical community. Medical professionals have concerns regarding the efficiency of the code process as well as the safety for all parties involved when family is allowed to stay for resuscitation. In contrast, family members desire to remain close to their loved ones, in what may be the last moments of their life. Meeting the psychosocial needs of the patient as well as their family members is at the center of nursing care and evidence is mounting that there is physiological and psychological benefit from family presence during emergency procedures and life-saving events.
Topic in the Literature The American Heart Association (AHA), per 2010 …show more content…
Family members may respond emotionally while witnessing resuscitation efforts. A dramatic reaction by a family member could potentially result in performance anxiety by the hospital staff. Legal implications from family members that are present during resuscitation is also a concern. During Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without family presence, staff members are not preoccupied with concerns of the possibility of accusations of malpractice and liability suits, or breeches of patient confidentiality. Lack of space to perform required tasks during CPR, Poor quality of care for patient, interference from the family member, and injury to a family member all top the list of things to worry about when considering FPDR. (Omran, Ali, Alshahrani, …show more content…
Of the 100 participants, 77% favored FPDR. One participant is quoted to have said, “I feel motivated while family is present during CPR efforts. I think it is natural for us to want the best outcome and survival for all our patients, but just seeing a family member gives me the extra drive” (Lederman, Wacht, 2014, p 66). “Complete transparency” and “enhancing the family’s trust in the medical staff,” were two of numerous reasons that were given by the participants in favor of FPDR (Lederman, Wacht, 2014, p 67). Seventy-six of the study participants believed that a family member would desire to be with their loved one in the last minutes of life. Reasons for family’s desire to remain at bed-side ranged from providing useful medical information to simply needing closure. Participants told of their own personal experiences with FPDR. Most told of positive experiences, such as when a husband called out to his 40-year-old wife that was in cardiac arrest, telling her that he loved her and pleading for her “to stay for their children”. The wife survived and she herself recalled these moments (Lederman, Wacht, 2014, p
Topic in the Literature The American Heart Association (AHA), per 2010 …show more content…
Family members may respond emotionally while witnessing resuscitation efforts. A dramatic reaction by a family member could potentially result in performance anxiety by the hospital staff. Legal implications from family members that are present during resuscitation is also a concern. During Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) without family presence, staff members are not preoccupied with concerns of the possibility of accusations of malpractice and liability suits, or breeches of patient confidentiality. Lack of space to perform required tasks during CPR, Poor quality of care for patient, interference from the family member, and injury to a family member all top the list of things to worry about when considering FPDR. (Omran, Ali, Alshahrani, …show more content…
Of the 100 participants, 77% favored FPDR. One participant is quoted to have said, “I feel motivated while family is present during CPR efforts. I think it is natural for us to want the best outcome and survival for all our patients, but just seeing a family member gives me the extra drive” (Lederman, Wacht, 2014, p 66). “Complete transparency” and “enhancing the family’s trust in the medical staff,” were two of numerous reasons that were given by the participants in favor of FPDR (Lederman, Wacht, 2014, p 67). Seventy-six of the study participants believed that a family member would desire to be with their loved one in the last minutes of life. Reasons for family’s desire to remain at bed-side ranged from providing useful medical information to simply needing closure. Participants told of their own personal experiences with FPDR. Most told of positive experiences, such as when a husband called out to his 40-year-old wife that was in cardiac arrest, telling her that he loved her and pleading for her “to stay for their children”. The wife survived and she herself recalled these moments (Lederman, Wacht, 2014, p