Attitude, Practice And Experience Of Family Witnessed Resuscitation Among Critical Care Nurses In Malaysia

Abstract

Background: The issue over family witnessed resuscitation (FWR) in the critical care units is a debatable topic worldwide in the past two decades. Resuscitation can be visually interrupted, stressful and traumatic, even to the most experienced clinical staff in the critical care units. The option to offer family members opportunity to remain with patients during resuscitation efforts has sparked controversy among medical and nursing staff.

Purpose: This study aims to determine the attitude, practice and experience of critical care nurses about the presence of family members during resuscitation.

Methods: A self-administered questionnaire was distributed to 112 registered nurses in a private hospital in Penang, Malaysia targeting nurses working in critical care units. Before initiation of data collection, informed consent was obtained from the nurses and approval from the hospital authority and university research ethics committee to conduct the study. Data collection was conducted for a duration of 2 weeks until the desired samples met. The recruited nurses were preempted before the data collection process started.

Results: Findings showed majority of the nurses in critical care units with lesser working experience were against FWR. The results revealed 88.4% (n=99) of the participants chose not to allow FWR. The critical care nurses in lower job grade were against FWR. In term of the invasive procedure 95.5% (n=107) nurses allowed FWR in invasive procedure of blood taking. FWR was absolutely avoided in invasive procedure of central venous line and chest tube insertion. Majority of the participants (63.4%, n=71) agreed the department policy will make the decision to allow FWR.

Conclusion: This study found the concept of allowing FWR is not well accepted among the critical care nurses especially those with less work experiences.