Effect of Support Program on Satisfaction of Family Members of ICU Patients

Background: This study has been conducted to investigate the effect of family-centered support program on satisfaction of the family members of patients in intensive care unit. Hospitalization of patient in intensive care unit causes crisis in family. It is very important to pay attention to the role of patient’s family in support and care of patients in intensive care unit, to pay attention to fulfillment of the family’s needs in order to increase their satisfaction. Methods: This study was a quasi-experimental study with control group. 76 family members of the patients hospitalized in medical and surgical intensive care units were recruited through purposeful sampling method and were divided in two groups (control and trial with 38 people in each groups). In the control group, action was taken according to routine way of the unit and in trial group, intervention was conducted within three days in three dimensions of support, information and reassurance. In the fourth day, satisfaction was measured using Family Satisfaction Intensive Care Unit (FS-ICU) questionnaire. Results: Mean and standard deviation of the satisfaction with care in the control and trial groups were 37.78(18.36) and 69.26(8.39), respectively, mean and standard deviation of satisfaction in information and decision-making domains were 25.65(17.48) and 61.84(12.21) and total satisfaction score were 32.73(16.92) and 66.17(9.07), respectively. These scores indicated significant increase of satisfaction after intervention (p< 0.001). Conclusion: This research showed that information, emotional support and reassurance of the family of patients in intensive care unit has considerable effect on increase of their satisfaction. It is suggested to educate intensive care nurses and other health care personnel about psychosocial and behavioral skills to support family members during hospitalization of their patients in intensive care unit.