Abstract 309: Exploring Competencies For The Family Facilitator During Resuscitation

Abstract

Title: Exploring Competencies for the Family Facilitator in Resuscitation Authors: Carolina D. Tennyson, John P. Oliver, Karen R. Jooste Character Count (1,474 of 1,700) Introduction: During instances of family presence during resuscitation (FPDR), the family facilitator (FF) acts as a partner, advocate, and support person for the family as well as a liason between the family and care team. This role is widely recommended when implementing FPDR, however standard competencies for the FF have not been clearly described. To develop competency-based education or a certification for the role, FF skills and knowledge need to be detailed by those who currently work with the resuscitation team in this capacity. Hypothesis: The skills of the FF include timely assessment, communication with diverse populations (verbal and nonverbal), psychosocial and emotional support, and crisis management skills. Methods: Inpatient Chaplains who routinely respond to Code Blue events gathered in a focus group to review their current role responsibilities while caring for family members during resuscitation events. Qualitative data were collected and categorized by theme. Results: Fifteen Chaplains with FF role experience attended the focus group. Identified skills fell into the following 6 categories; Responding rapidly, Recognition of space, sterility, and safety elements in the resuscitation arena; Performing an ongoing assessment of family’s response to crisis; The ability to provide active listening and partnering; Facilitating communication between family and the Code Blue team leader; and interprofessional communication with the Code Blue team. Conclusions: Competency-based education and training for the FF role requires an understanding of the job demands and responsibilities. The described skills will be used to shape competencies and educational objectives for future FF training.