Families' opinions regarding care in adult intensive care units at a public sector tertiary hospital in Gauteng
Date
2012-06-13
Authors
Rodrigues, Gayenor
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Abstract
The purpose of this study was to describe family members’ opinions regarding the quality of care and decision-making in the adult intensive care units. A quantitative descriptive research design was utilized to meet the study objectives. Structured interviews were conducted using the FS-ICU (24) questionnaire with participants (family members, n=100) drawn from three intensive care units. Descriptive and comparative statistics were used to analyse the data.
Satisfaction with care was rated by family members’ as higher than their satisfaction with decision-making. Overall 91.0% (n=91) of family members’ were mostly satisfied with the care provided. Of the 24 items the management of patient symptoms was the most highly rated items. The least satisfied item related to the waiting room, which was rated as 93.0% (n=93) dissatisfactory. Frequency of communication, completeness of information, feeling excluded and unsupported during decision-making and the rigid visiting hours were areas identified for improvement in the ICU. These findings suggest that deficiencies exist in meeting family’ needs.
Based on the research findings, it can be concluded that results of this study have supported the existing evidence in literature from previous studies on family satisfaction with care and decision-making in the ICU.
Recommendations for nursing practice, education, research and institution are proposed.
Description
M.Sc.(Nursing), Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, 2012