How can patient advocates best support families of ICU patients?

In my experience, families of patients in the ICU feel supported when they are informed about the care process and their loved one's condition. Attentively listening and addressing their questions significantly aids their coping. If you do not have the answers, it is entirely appropriate to consult the medical staff or a more experienced colleague. The primary objective is to ensure their questions are answered, thus providing essential support.

Os resultados demostraram que a estratégia de assistência familiar contribui positivamente na recupera??o do paciente internado na Unidade de Terapia Intensiva. Contudo, há resistência dos profissionais e institui??es de saúde para que isso ocorra. Eu gosto da UTI humanizada pois proporciona uma melhora nas práticas cuidadosas, um cuidado comprometido com a ética, o diálogo e a autonomia do paciente e de sua família. O mais importante você explicar e orientar aos familiares sobre a importancia do tratamento, sobre o setor em si, e ter o acolhimento com essa família. Nesses casos, é importante que a família tenha uma estrutura emocional boa para ajudar, trazendo só coisas positivas.

Support the family in these tough times as they need psychological, emotional support and empathy by the healthcare professionals which can help them withstand in such tough times

In the future, please make sure that you do not put family members in positions to make ALL the care plan choices. Remember, when family are at the bedside with their immediate family, they are present ONLY as family and should never be placed in any situation to designate the entire care plan. The family has placed trust in you.

En realidad las UCI deberían ser espacios más abiertos y ventilados ya que son poco accesibles para los familiares y cada paciente debería tener una enfermera personal. Además los microorganismos se reproducen con gran facilidad en ambientes cerrados y oscuros.

Aportar a las familias una cercanía sobre su familiar es una buena forma de conectar de cierta manera con ellos. Intentar resolver dudas o aclarar ciertos conceptos para calmar la inquietud. Animar a las familias a seguir luchando y que entre todos sea un apoyo mutuo para que la situación sea lo más cómoda posible.

Acho fundamental ter o acolhimento com os familiares e respeito as cren?as , valores, pois favorece a concep??o de uma liga??o de confian?a e compromisso dos usuários com a equipe e os servi?os, sendo uma a??o fundamental para a humaniza??o do ambiente de trabalho e depende unicamente dos profissionais inseridos na presta??o de cuidados com o paciente.

It’s important to really understand and empathize with their situation and their feelings. Not everyone is going through the same process and feelings, so you have to be able to detect each situation separately and consolidate in to your actions. They need you to be there for them, not to judge or to make them feel that they are not in the right frame for their particular situation. They are where they need to be with their emotions and you are with them in all the ways

Empathizing with families demonstrates genuine concern for their feelings. No one wants to see their loved one in a critical state. Providing privacy for them to express their frustrations is crucial in helping them cope. Do not underestimate the power of human touch; compassionate care is the essence of nursing.

Supporting the family's emotional and physical needs, is a crucial aspect of patient advocacy. The intense emotional landscape that family members navigate—encompassing fear, anxiety, grief, and hope—can significantly impact their mental well-being and decision-making abilities. It's vital to approach these situations with empathy and understanding, recognising the unique challenges each family faces. Providing emotional support and validation helps in creating a nurturing environment, while referring them to mental health services like counseling or peer support can be pivotal in managing their stress and emotions more effectively.

Sim outro fator fundamental além do acolhimento com essa família, é se preocupar com ela, ter uma palavra de conforto, as vezes est?o exaustos, cansados, pedir para ir pra casa descansar um pouco, tomar um banho para relaxar, comer algo e até acionar a psicologia se preciso para conversar com eles.

It is crucial to recognize that those outside the healthcare field may not fully understand their loved one's diagnosis. For instance, I once had a patient whose spouse believed that pancreatitis was solely caused by an infection but in this case it wasn’t. Providing clear explanations to families in one-on-one conversations or during multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings is essential. Use simple, understandable language and avoid excessive medical jargon. Be honest about the situation, including poor prognoses, as this transparency, while difficult, ultimately helps families cope in the long term.

A família é um dos eixos estruturantes da assistência a pacientes fora de possibilidades terapêuticas de cura ocupando um lugar de protagonista e sendo, ainda, integrada à equipe de cuidados. Enquanto a sua atitude colaborativa favorece o cuidado do paciente, também ajuda a mantê-la como objeto de cuidado. Acho super importante os familiares estar por dentro dos prognósticos do paciente, visando ao estabelecimento do tratamento mais apropriado, cuidados nosso da equipe multidisciplinar na UTI, esclarecer dúvidas.

Empower families through "Decision Doodles," a creative session where medical information is visually presented to enhance understanding. Facilitate family input with a "Decision Tree" wall, allowing them to share thoughts and concerns in a visually accessible way. Introduce a "Family Council" where relatives actively participate in shaping the patient's care plan. Foster a creative environment, encouraging families to express their perspectives through art or writing, fostering a sense of involvement in the ICU journey.

In the ICU, it is common practice to arrange multidisciplinary team (MDT) meetings with families, particularly when discussing the withdrawal of care, transitioning to end-of-life care, or making decisions about DNACPR or care limitations. These meetings provide families with the opportunity to be involved in decision-making while ensuring they fully understand the situation.

Acho fundamental que a comunica??o é a chave para o sucesso do cuidado do paciente. A família deve ter um canal aberto de comunica??o com a equipe de cuidados de saúde para discutir as necessidades do paciente, suas preocupa??es e para relatar quaisquer mudan?as na saúde ou no comportamento do paciente. Torna-se essencial considerar que o papel da família nesse contexto é de apoio, principalmente psicológico. A família também exerce o papel de confortar o paciente e tranquilizá-lo sobre a sua recupera??o família nesse contexto é de apoio, principalmente psicológico. A família também exerce o papel de confortar o paciente e tranquilizá-lo sobre a sua recupera??o.

The patient needs the family for emotional and social support. Providing family members with information concerning the continuity of care, helping them access follow up services aids seamlesss transition for the patient.

Dedicated teams, such as the research/follow-up team and the ICU outreach team, play a crucial role in monitoring patients discharged home to ensure their full recovery. These teams also involve the patients' families, keeping everyone informed and aligned regarding the care provided.

Enhancing the ICU experience for families involves more than just explaining the technicalities. It's about creating a compassionate and supportive environment. Consider introducing a family orientation program where families are guided through the ICU setting, familiarized with the routines, and educated about patient care processes. This can be complemented by a dedicated family liaison, a go-to person for updates and concerns. Additionally, incorporating digital tools, such as a virtual tour or an informational app, can provide families with accessible and personalized information. These strategies not only demystify the ICU environment but also create a sense of inclusion and partnership in patient care.