scholarly journals Expectations and needs of relatives of critically ill patients in the emergency department

2018 ◽  
Vol 26 (6) ◽  
pp. 328-335
Author(s):  
Umut Ocak ◽  
Levent Avsarogullari

Background:The care of critically ill patients is a strong indicator of service quality provided in the emergency department. Since families are the major social support sources, assessing the family members’ needs may reduce their anxiety and depression owing to the acute situation of their loved ones while improving the patients’ recovery.Objective:We aimed to evaluate the expectations and needs of relatives of critically ill patients to formulate solutions to improve the quality of emergency department service.Methods:We conducted a prospective, cross-sectional survey of 873 relatives of nontraumatic, critically ill patients who completed the Turkish version of the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory in the emergency department of a university hospital in Turkey. The needs statements were evaluated under five subheadings: meaning, proximity, communication, comfort, and support.Results:In total, 249 (28.5%) participants were females and 624 (71.5%) were males (mean age, 41.79 years). The “meaning” category was given the highest priority, followed by “communication,” with average points of 3.75 and 3.57, respectively. The most important needs were being informed regularly about the patient’s condition and being assured that the patient is under the best possible care, whereas personal, physical, and emotional needs were the least important.Conclusion:Relatives of critically ill patients primarily focus on the quality of patients’ care. Creating a positive rapport based on trust and providing a healthcare environment where the expectations and needs of relatives are met should be prioritized by emergency department physicians, nurses, and other staff while caring for critically ill patients.

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 (1) ◽  
pp. 55-62 ◽  
Author(s):  
Meryem Yilmaz ◽  
Hatice Öner Cengiz

AbstractObjectiveTo evaluate the relationship between spiritual well-being (SpWB) and quality of life (QoL) in cancer (CA) survivors.MethodsThe current study was conducted in the oncology center at a university hospital in Central Anatolia/Turkey. In this study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. The data collected included: a questionnaire form, the current study was conducted in the oncology center at a university hospital in Central Anatolia/Turkey. In this study, a descriptive cross-sectional survey design was used. SpWB was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being Scale, version 4 (FACIT-Sp12, v. 4), including Meaning, Peace, and Faith subscales. The QoL was evaluated using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General scale (FACT-G, v. 4). The results were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, independent sample t-test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Mann-Whitney U test.ResultsOne hundred fifty patients participated in this study: 61.30% female, 78% 45 years of age or older, 94.70% married, 46% had finished, and 69% had gastrointestinal tract CA. The mean age was 53.48 (SD = 9.43). The majority of participants (96.7%) endorsed “a force pushing them a will to live” while 59.3% supported “the power of relationships with others.” There was a positive, strong correlation between overall QoL and SpWB (r = 0.619, p < 0.01). The Meaning dimensions of SpWB with Functional Well-Being (FWB) and overall QoL (r = 0.512; 0.595, p < 0.000 respectively), Peace with Emotional Well-Being (EWB) and FWB (r = 0.598; 0.540, p < 0.000 respectively) dimensions of FACT-G and overall QoL (r = 0.609, p < 0.001) were strong correlated. Faith and QoL were not significantly correlated.Significance of resultsThis study demonstrates that SpWB positively contributed to the QoL of CA survivors. SpWB is not necessarily limited to any specific types of beliefs or practices. For some people, faith in self, others and/or God constitutes, in large part, the meaning, purpose, and fulfillment they find in life.


2013 ◽  
Vol 28 (2) ◽  
pp. 127-131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nicholas A. True ◽  
Juliana D. Adedoyin ◽  
Frances S. Shofer ◽  
Eddie K. Hasty ◽  
Jane H. Brice

AbstractBackgroundPatients seeking care in public hospitals are often resource-limited populations who have in past disasters become the most vulnerable. The objective of this study was to determine the personal disaster preparedness of emergency department (ED) patients and to identify predictors of low levels of preparedness. It was hypothesized that vulnerable populations would be better prepared for disasters.MethodsA prospective cross-sectional survey was conducted over a one-year period of patients seeking care in a public university hospital ED (census 65,000). Exclusion criteria were mentally impaired, institutionalized, or non-English speaking subjects. Subjects completed an anonymous survey detailing the 15 personal preparedness items from the Federal Emergency Management Agency's disaster preparedness checklist as well as demographic characteristics. Summary statistics were used to describe general preparedness. Chi-square tests were used to compare preparedness by demographics.ResultsDuring the study period, 857/1000 subjects completed the survey. Participants were predominantly male (57%), Caucasian (65%), middle-aged (mean 45 years), and high school graduates (83%). Seventeen percent (n = 146) reported having special needs and 8% were single parents. Most participants were not prepared: 451 (53%) had >75% of checklist items, 393 (46%) had food and water for 3 days, and 318 (37%) had food, water, and >75% of items. Level of preparedness was associated with age and parenting. Those aged 44 and older were more likely to be prepared for a disaster compared to younger respondents. (43.3% vs 31.1%, P = .0002). Similarly, single parents were more likely to be prepared than dual parenting households (47.1 vs 32.9%, P = .03).ConclusionsThis study and others have found that only the minority of any group is actually prepared for disaster. Future research should focus on ways to implement disaster preparedness education, specifically targeting vulnerable populations, then measuring the effects of educational programs to demonstrate that preparedness has increased as a result.TrueNA, AdedoyinJD, ShoferFS, HastyEK, BriceJH. Level of disaster preparedness in patients visiting the emergency department: results of the Civilian Assessment of Readiness for Disaster (CARD) survey. Prehosp Disaster Med.2013;28(2):1-5.


Author(s):  
Serife Didem Kaya ◽  
Namaitijiang Maimaiti ◽  
Huseyin Gorkemli

Background: Patient’s satisfaction is of fundamental importance as a measure of the quality of health care. Aim of the study is to assess satisfaction with services was obtained from patients who were seen in obstetrics and gynaecology clinics, a university hospital in Konya, Turkey.Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted using questionnaires among patients attending obstetrics and gynaecology clinics a university hospital in Konya. The data were collected prospectively between 2nd May and 8th July 2016. Those who agreed to participate were asked to complete a set of questionnaires immediately or face to face interview was carried out if the patient was illiterate. The study instrument was a questionnaire which comprised of two parts. The first part related to respondent’s socio-demographic background and second part on patient satisfaction questions.Results: Half of the respondents (53.3%) visited obstetrics unit and 46.7% of them visited gynaecology clinics unit. 165 (52.1%) appointments were first attendance and others (47.9) follow-up visits. The average patient satisfaction was 74.5% in this study.Conclusions: Generally, the patients were satisfied with services of gynecology and obstetrics clinics. Majority of the patients were satisfied with clinic facility, staff’s professionalism, healthcare provider’s attitude and quality of medical care.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yinglan Li ◽  
Waraporn Kongsuwan

Background: Caring practice for critically ill patients refers to the actions/behaviors/performance of nurses while caring for critically ill adult patients in the intensive care unit (ICU). Although the caring practice is vital in ICUs and complex due to the multitude of availabletechnologies, research on ICU nurses’ caring practice and its predictive factors are lacking. Objective: This study aimed to explore the level of nurses’ caring practice for critically ill patients in critical technological environments in China and its predictors. Methods: This was a cross-sectional online survey study with 218 ICU nurses in 29 tertiary hospitals of Guizhou province, China, from 1st to 30th April 2020. Data were collected by using e-questionnaires made in the Questionnaire Star program, including the Demographic Data Questionnaire (DDQ), Practice of Technological Competency as Caring in Nursing Instrument (P-TCCNI), Influence of Technology Questionnaire (ITQ), and Nurses’ Professional Value Scale (NPVS). The questionnaires were content validated by three experts. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.96 for the P-TCCNI, 0.70 for the ITQ, and 0.95 for the NPVS. Links to the questionnaires were distributed by research assistants to WeChat groups including target participants. Statistical Package for the Social Science (SPSS) program version 26 (IBM Corporation, Armonk, NY, USA) was used for data analysis. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. Multiple linear regression analysis using stepwise solution analysis was performed to identify unique predictors of nurses’ caring practice. Results: The level of nurses’ caring practice for critically ill patients was high (mean = 87.30, standard deviation = 13.73). The professional value was a significant predictor of nurses’ caring practice (β = 0.41, p = 0.00). Conclusion: ICU nurses exhibited a high level of caring practice. Professional value was a significant predictor of ICU nurses’ caring practice. Nursing administrators should understand the current situation of caring practice in critical technological environments and design strategies to maintain and improve ICU nurses’ professional value to increase the level of caring practice. Funding: This study was financially supported by a thesis grant from Thailand’s Education Hub for Southern Region of ASEAN Countries (TEH-AC) Scholarship through Prince of Songkla University, Thailand.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarurin Pitanupong ◽  
Sahawit Janmanee

Abstract Background: End-of-life care preferences may be highly individual, heterogenic, and variable according to culture and belief. This study aimed to explore preferences and factors associated with end-of-life care among Thai cancer patients with the goal of helping optimize their quality of life.Methods: A cross-sectional study surveyed cancer outpatients at Songklanagarind Hospital from August to November 2020. The questionnaires inquired about: 1) personal and demographic information, 2) experiences with end-of-life care received by relatives, and 3) end-of-life care preferences. To determine end-of life preferences, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data concerning patient demographics and end-of-life care preferences were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Results: The majority of the 96 cancer outpatients were female (65.6%), and the overall mean age was 55.8 ±11.6 years. More than half of them had an experience of observing someone die (68.8%), and they were predominantly satisfied with the care received by their relatives in passing away at home surrounded by family (47.0%) and being conscious until the time of death (68.2%). Most participants preferred receiving the full truth regarding their illness (99.0%), being free of uncomfortable symptoms (96.9%), having their loved ones around (93.8%), being mentally aware at the last hour (93.8%), and having the sense of being meaningful in life (92.7%). Their 3 most important end-of-life care wishes were receiving the full truth regarding their illness, disclosing the full truth regarding their illness to family members, and passing away at home. Conclusion: In order to optimize the quality of life of terminal patients, end-of-life care should ensure they receive the full truth regarding their illness, experience no distress symptoms, remain mentally aware at the last hour of life, feel meaningful in life, and pass away comfortably with loved ones around.


2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jarurin Pitanupong ◽  
Sahawit Janmanee

Abstract Background End-of-life care preferences may be highly individual, heterogenic, and variable according to culture and belief. This study aimed to explore preferences and factors associated with end-of-life care among Thai cancer patients. Its findings could help optimize the quality of life of palliative cancer patients. Methods A cross-sectional study surveyed palliative cancer outpatients at Songklanagarind Hospital from August to November 2020. The questionnaires inquired about: (1) personal and demographic information, (2) experiences with end-of-life care for their relatives, and (3) end-of-life care preferences. To determine end-of life preferences, the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The data concerning patient demographics and end-of-life care preferences were compared using Fisher’s exact test. Results The majority of the 96 palliative cancer outpatients were female (65.6 %), and the overall mean age was 55.8 ± 11.6 years. More than half of them had an experience of observing someone die (68.8 %), and they were predominantly being conscious until the time of death (68.2 %). Most participants preferred receiving the full truth satisfied with the care their relatives had received in passing away at home surrounded by family (47.0 %) and regarding their illness (99.0 %), being free of uncomfortable symptoms (96.9 %), having their loved ones around (93.8 %), being mentally aware at the last hour (93.8 %), and having the sense of being meaningful in life (92.7 %). Their 3 most important end-of-life care wishes were receiving the full truth regarding their illness, disclosing the full truth regarding their illness to family members, and passing away at home. Conclusions In order to optimize the quality of life of palliative cancer patients, end-of-life care should ensure they receive the full truth regarding their illness, experience no distressing symptoms, remain mentally aware at the last hour of life, feel meaningful in life, and pass away comfortably with loved ones around.


2016 ◽  
Vol 7 ◽  
pp. 52-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Johanna Cederfeldt ◽  
Jenny Carlsson ◽  
Cecily Begley ◽  
Marie Berg

Author(s):  
Joanne Reddekopp ◽  
Colleen Anne Dell ◽  
Betty Rohr ◽  
Barbara Fornssler ◽  
Maryellen Gibson ◽  
...  

To date there have been no studies examining whether patients want emergency department (ED) therapy dog programs. This patient-oriented study examined the opinions of patients about whether they would want to be visited by a therapy dog in the Royal University Hospital ED. Cross-sectional survey data were collected over a six week period from a convenience sample of 100 adult patients who had not been visited by a therapy dog in the ED. Most (80%) indicated they would want a visit by a therapy dog as an ED patient. A higher proportion of individuals who currently have a pet dog (95%) or identify as having lots of experience with dogs (71%) were more likely to indicate this want compared to those without a dog (90%) or little to no experience with dogs (62%). The majority were also of the opinion that patients may want to visit a therapy dog in the ED to reduce anxiety (92%) and frustration (87%) as well as to increase comfort (90%) and satisfaction (90%) and to a lesser extent to reduce pain (59%). There was no significant difference in findings by gender or age, other than a higher proportion of older adults and females identifying cultural background and tradition as a possible reason that patients may not want to be visited by a therapy dog. The findings of this study can help guide considerations for future ED therapy dog programs.


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