Family Presence in the Resuscitation Room Pamela Green, MSN, APRN, FNP-C

1. Family Presence in the Resuscitation Room Pamela Green, MSN, APRN, FNP-C ¹University of Alabama School of Nursing, ²School of Public Health, University of Alabama at Birmingham Significance Purpose Align clinical practice with evidence regarding family presence during resuscitation. PICO Question: For medical staff in an acute care setting, does knowledge of evidence change opinion regarding family presence in the resuscitation room? Identify barriers to family presence in the resuscitation room. Reinforce the benefit of family presence in the resuscitation room. Dispel false perceptions of risk to family presence in the resuscitation room. Goal Method Background A descriptive, quantitative, cross sectional survey will be developed and administered pre- education to identify medical staff opinion and direct education regarding family presence in the resuscitation room. An identical survey will be administered post education to determine the effect of education on medical staff opinion. Cardiopulmonary resuscitation frequently marks end of life. Less than 17% of successful resuscitations survive to discharge. Current healthcare practice does not allow for family members to be with their loved ones during resuscitation. Family Presence in the Resuscitation Room is endorsed by - The Emergency Nurses Association - The American Heart Association - The American Association of Critical Care Nurses Less than 5% of critical care areas in the U.S. have a policy allowing family presence during resuscitation. Method Literature review demonstrates differing opinion between patients, family members and medical staff. Patient: • 72% want family present Family member: • 75% want to be present • Presence perceived as a right Healthcare provider: • 83% disagree with family presence fearing: -interference with resuscitation efforts -trauma to family members -stress on the healthcare team - medical/legal concerns.