Family Presence at Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation: Considerations in a Rehabilitation Hospital

Abstract

The presence of family members in the resuscitation room is an issue that is extremely controversial, with strong opinions for and against the practice in both medical and lay communities. Routinely, family members have remained in a nearby waiting room while resuscitative efforts were performed on a loved one. Meanwhile, medical and nursing personnel, driven by their desire to meet the needs of the patient, may not have considered the needs of the family. Recently, a movement has begun that has challenged and provoked a change in practice in institutions across the United States and beyond. Research shows that a vast majority of family members wish to be present or, at minimum, be given the opportunity to be present. Health care providers have mixed opinions, with more nurses in favor than physicians. Patients expressed appreciation for the presence of and support by a family member during the emergency. Family presence is a difficult issue; presently there is no universally satisfactory conclusion. The purpose of this article is to explore the movement of family presence at resuscitation and its adoption in rehabilitation hospitals.

Keywords:

• ethics
• family presence
• rehabilitation hospital
• resuscitation