Table 2.

Strategies to improve family engagement in the cardiac intensive care unit

Family presence

Encourage family visitation

Proactively invite family member to be present and participate in daily rounds

Communication

Regular contact (phone, in person, or virtual) between clinician and family

Weekly contact between clinician and family for patients with a prolonged ICU course

Ad hoc meetings with family members

Teach back method to ensure understanding of daily plan of care

Providing education to family members about patient’s condition

Post-cardiac arrest debrief with family

Open discussions regarding complications

Proactive involvement of ethics and palliative care when appropriate

Ensure consistency of message when communicating with family

Family needs

Spiritual care / chaplain support available 24/7

Spiritual care / chaplain attend all code blues

Early identification of patients and families that need social support

Surrogate decision making

Early goals of care discussion

Participation of family in shared decision making

Direct care

Family engagement in delirium management

Organizational

Standardized protocol to involve families, rather than being physician dependent

Patient/family feedback is assessed and taken into consideration

Abbreviations: ICU, intensive care unit