Abstract
Introduction: Hospitalization of patients in the intensive care units always has negative consequences such as anxiety and concern for patients and their families. This study aimed to investigate the effect of programmed family presence in intensive care units on patients’ and families’ anxiety.Methods: This was a quasi-experimental study conducted in Iran. The eligible patients and a member of their families were assigned into two groups (N = 80) through convenience sampling. The family members in the experimental group were allowed to attend twice a day for 15 minutes in a planned way beside the patient and contribute to their clinical primary care. In the control group, the family members had a strict limitation to visit their patients based on the usual policy. Anxiety in both groups at the beginning and on the third day of patient’s admission was measured, using Spielberger’s questionnaire. The data were analyzed with SPSS version13. Results: The mean score of anxiety in the control group did not show significant difference in patients and in families, however it had decreased significantly in the experimental group after the intervention for both patients and families. The results showed that mean differences between the two groups was statistically significant in patients and families.Conclusion: The planned presence of the family of patients in coronary care unit (CCU) played a crucial role in reducing the anxiety of patients and their family. Furthermore, it is recommended that strategies of visiting policy in intensive care units (ICUs) should be revised and the possibility be provided for the families’ planned presence and participation in the patient care.
Highlights
Hospitalization of patients in the intensive care units always has negative consequences such as anxiety and concern for patients and their families
The results showed that the mean (SD) anxiety score of the patients in the control group was 52.2 (5.56) in the first 24 hours of coronary care unit (CCU) admission and 50.22(5.10) at Control (n = 40)
The results of this study showed the majority of patients and their families suffer from moderate anxiety at the time of admission to CCU
Summary
Hospitalization of patients in the intensive care units always has negative consequences such as anxiety and concern for patients and their families. This study aimed to investigate the effect of programmed family presence in intensive care units on patients’ and families’ anxiety. The family members had a strict limitation to visit their patients based on the usual policy. Anxiety in both groups at the beginning and on the third day of patient’s admission was measured, using Spielberger’s questionnaire. Results: The mean score of anxiety in the control group did not show significant difference in patients and in families, it had decreased significantly in the experimental group after the intervention for both patients and families. One of the psychological stressors in patients admitted to the ICU that may lead to anxiety is being away from the family, which is mainly because of the structure and philosophy of the intensive care unit where strict visiting policies are applied.[13]
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