Family Intervention Tips
Family Intervention Tips
Activity Explanation
• Identify a family spokesperson early Father, mother, older sibling
• Assign a primary nursing contact for the family Nurse acts as liaison for unit
• Establish mechanism for family access to patient Open visitations, specific rules, etc.
• Promote access to patient and ensure consistency Encourage families to speak with nurses about unit rules and protocols
• Establish mechanism to contact family Telephone numbers, pagers, etc.
• Provide information based on family needs Videotapes, information booklets
• Ensure support services are available Coordinate with social worker, chaplain
• Explain all procedures using understandable terms Avoid clinical jargon in conversation
• Offer tour of the ICU Get families familiar with surroundings
• Get family to participate in aspects of care Activities of daily living, reading, etc.
• Include family in end-of-life planning Prepare family for inevitable
• Provide comfortable environment Waiting rooms, access to meals
• Establish system for daily communication Telephone updates on changing condition
Source: Jane Stover Leske, RN, PhD, University of Wisconsin/Milwaukee School of Nursing.
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