ABSTRACT 174

Abstract

Background and aims: In pediatric critical care, family-centered care is a central theme ensuring holistic care of patients and families. Family presence is an important component. Parents expect and are encouraged to be involved in the care of their child throughout the child’s illness. Family presence is generally accepted when the child is stable; however, there is less consensus about family presence when the child becomes critically ill, requiring resuscitation and invasive procedures. Aims: To determine the effects of family presence on parental satisfaction and coping during resuscitation and invasive procedures in pediatric critical care settings. Methods: The PRISMA model guided this systematic literature search. CINAHL, MEDLINE, Ovid, and PubMed journals were searched for articles published between 1995 and 2012. Search terms included pediatric intensive care, ICU, PICU, parent, parent presence, family, family presence, pediatrics, family-centered care, critical care, pediatric critical care, invasive procedures, and resuscitation. Results: This literature search yielded 113 articles. Ninety-five abstracts were evaluated; six met criteria. Findings indicate parents want to be present during invasive procedures and resuscitation, would be present again, recommend being present to others, and would not have changed anything about the experience. Parents who were present had higher satisfaction and better coping than parents who were not present. Conclusions: Studies support the suggestion that family presence during resuscitation and invasive procedures increases parental satisfaction and coping. Limitations of studies included small sample sizes conducted in single institutions. Future research is needed to further develop this concept to demonstrate the benefits of family presence, guide practice, and prevent barriers.