Critical care nurses' perceptions of family witnessed resuscitation in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Resuscitation can be visually disturbing and stressful, even to the most experienced of clinical staff. Allowing family members to remain with patients during resuscitation efforts has sparked controversy among medical and nursing staff members. A quantitative descriptive study was conducted to describe the perceptions of critical care nurses of family witnessed resuscitation (FWR) and the factors contributing to these perceptions at one tertiary hospital in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia (KSA). A non-probability convenience sample of 70 critical care nurses was used to collect data. The findings of the study revealed that the majority of critical care nurses were not in favour of FWR. These nurses believed that the process of witnessing a loved one being resuscitated would be traumatic for relatives, and increase possible litigation against medical and nursing personnel. The study recommended that a clear policy about FWR should be in place. Critical care training should include the trends that will empower its nurses to address the gaps in their knowledge and to reflect on FWR.