Family/Loved Ones in Code/Resuscitation Effort in the Emergency Department - Essay Example

? Family/loved ones in resuscitation effort in the emergency department Family/loved ones in resuscitation effort in the emergency department Background Initially, in case a sick person is admitted in a health facility, the members of their family are taken away from their relative into another room whereas the medical staff uses life-saving procedures to save the patient (Hung and Pang, 2011). A medical practitioner is in a position to get out of the resuscitation; he or she informs the members of the family on the status of the patient (Hung and Pang, 2011). The practice of resuscitation is transforming as families practice their right to be there throughout the entire period. Several studies indicate that observing the resuscitation procedure helps members of the patient’s family understand everything that was performed to save their relative (Hung and Pang, 2011). Some studies indicate long-lasting undesirable effects in members of the family who witnessed resuscitation, like anxiety, sadness among others (Hung and Pang, 2011). The benefits of family members/loved ones' presence in the ER during a code situation appear to outweigh the possible negative effects of witnessing such a traumatic event. However, there must be considerations made in determining to try to encourage or discourage family/loved ones being in the same room during emergency resuscitation in regards to patient family and hospital staff. Relative perspective The presences of members of a family/loved ones at the point of death of a family member is commonly accepted in serious medical care situations, when the main concern of care moves from medical care of the seriously sick person to the communal, psychic and emotional comfort of the sick person and of their members of family (Hung and Pang, 2011). Though, in case a patient encounters a life- pressuring occurrence such a cardiac arrest or respiratory, members of their families have always been forbidden from staying in the medical care setting. Family/loved ones presence during resuscitation has the following benefits as discovered by several researchers (Hung and Pang, 2011). Family presence during resuscitation makes the family understand the importance of the patient’s medical condition. Their presence fosters gratitude for the determination of the medical team to ensure they did everything they could to save the patient. Their presence also enhances a sense of usefulness by presenting pertinent evidence to the medical group and actively encouraging the patient either through praying, touch, comforting (Hung and Pang, 2011). Additionally, it gives a chance for the patient’s conditions to be stated to the members of staff. It also facilitates the necessity to be with their sick relative. This presence provides relief to their patients and makes them know that the family members are present. It also strengthens the patient’s mind to live (Hung and Pang, 2011). Some researchers like Hung and Pang (2011) note that the presence tends to support patient and family connection and bonding, and it encourages a strong physical association between the patients and their patients’ throughout resuscitation. It tends to reduce the guilt about running away from the patient when in crisis, and it offers a chance to give the patients farewell. Lastly, this presence allows family members to hold their relatives while he or she is still alive (Hung and Pang, 2011). It has been stated that a lot of family/loved ones prefer to be near, partially to their loved ones to make sure that everything achievable is done for their relatives because they feel that their attendance may affect the medical outcomes; though views on family/loved ones observed resuscitation differ extensively (MacLean et al, 2006). Researchers recommend that organized resuscitation efforts can permit a bond to advance between family/loved ones and the resuscitation groups, convince families that their relatives are in good hands (MacLean et al, 2006). In case of death, this presence tends to offer a ‘humane’ environment in which family members can mourn. Research has indicated that relatives may encounter negative feeling and psychological effects because of observed resuscitation. MacLean et al (2006) argue that observing resuscitation is not a medical issue and disturbing enough to haunt the relatives for a long period or all through their lifetime. Clinical perspective On the other hand, medical practitioners state that allowing family members to see the resuscitation procedures done on their patients’ may break their right to privacy (Oman and Duran, 2010). Oman and Duran (2010) claim that extremely ill persons have equal right to privacy as conscious people, and that medical staff should not presume that unconscious people would agree to their family members observing their resuscitation. The views of healthcare specialists about the attendance of relatives throughout the resuscitation efforts differ. Several pediatricians and emergency doctors are in support of the exercise while several typical doctors and medical staff are contrary to it, strongly opposes it (Oman and Duran 2010). Some researchers state that nurses have a positive attitude to the presences of family members during resuscitation than therapeutic staff, although most of them do not encourage the exercise (Oman and Duran, 2010). Many medical doctors are doubtful about the attendance of families throughout resuscitation efforts because of inadequate space, and the confidentiality and self-respect of patients should be preserved during the process (Salladay, 2006). The main concerns of the medical doctors is that the members of the family will be distressed after observing the procedures, and they may even interfere in resuscitation efforts or manipulate decisions to discontinue resuscitation, and their attendance will the staff stressed when working, and therefore affect their medical performance (Agard, 2008). Although letting family members to watch resuscitations procedures can make the resuscitation setting crowded, members of staff ought to provide families time to speak a few expressions to their relatives, or to grasp their hands. Family members should not be viewed as problematic. They are simply part of the patients’ lives and will always want to bid farewell to their relatives. As indicated by Clift (2006), the presence of the family during resuscitation cannot be ignored. Ellison (2003) continues to argue that the presence of both the family members and the staff is a good mechanism in which the medics can communicate and guide the family members. However, Walker (2006) insists that the same is not possible if the appropriate tools and procedure are followed. The resuscitation process can be branded as a team that ensures the implementation of the medical procedures, and that all the involved parties can speak from experience (Knott & Kee, 2005). On the other hand, Meyers et al. (2004) indicate that it is the responsibility of the nurses to ensure that family members are present in the course of the resuscitation. It would therefore be arguable that the medical practice has transformed from the previous initiation of life saving measures with the family members in the waiting room as opposed to the present day medical world. Conclusion Recovery doctors frequently assume that they will be the last individuals to be in the company of dying person. However, being near the patient during this time is an opportunity, and having this opportunity may be the most luxurious thing that healthcare specialists can provide the mourning relatives. It should also be noted that, relatives should not be forced into observing cardiac massage; however, they should be a chance to choose whether to do so. References Agard, M. (2008). Creating advocates for family presence during resuscitation. MEDSURG Nursing, 17(3), 155-160. Retrieved from; http://ehis.ebscohost.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f76ba6a3- 1a8c-492d-9945-352f61beebd3%40sessionmgr115&vid=9&hid=15 Clift, L. (2006). Relatives in the resuscitation room: a review of benefits and risks. Paediatric Nursing, 18:14-18. Ellison, S. (2003). Nurses’ attitudes toward family presence during resuscitative efforts and invasive procedures. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 29: 515-521. Hung, M., & Pang, S. (2011). Family presence preference when patients are receiving resuscitation in an accident and emergency department. Journal Of Advanced Nursing, 67(1), 56-67. doi:10.1111/j.1365-2648.2010.05441.x Knott, A., & Kee, C. (2005). Nurses’ beliefs about family presence during resuscitation. Applied Nursing Research, 18: 192-198. MacLean, S., Guzzetta, C., White, C., Fontaine, D., Eichhorn, D., Meyers, T., & Desy, P. (2003). Family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and invasive procedures: practices of critical care and emergency nurses. American Journal of Critical Care, 12(3): 246-257. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer?sid=f76ba6a3- 1a8c-492d-9945-352f61beebd3%40sessionmgr115&vid=18&hid=15 Meyers, T., Eichhorn, D., Dezra, J., Guzzetta, C., Clark, A., Klein, J. (2004).Family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitation: The experience of family members, nurses, and physicians. Topics in Emergency Medicine, 26(1): 61-73. Oman, K. S., & Duran, C. R., (2010). Health care providers' evaluations of family presence during resuscitation. Journal of Emergency Nursing, 36(6): 524-533. http://dx.doi.org.vlib.excelsior.edu/10.1016/j.jen.2010.06.014 Salladay, S. (2006). Ethical problems. Family presence: code controversy. Nursing, 36(1): 26. Retrieved from http://ehis.ebscohost.com.vlib.excelsior.edu/ehost/pdfviewer/pdfviewer? sid=f76ba6a3-1a8c-492d-9945-352f61beebd3%40sessionmgr115&vid=6&hid=102 Walker, W. (2006). Witnessed resuscitation: A concept analysis. International Journal of Nursing Studies, 43: 377-387. Read More