Table 3.
Comparing the attitudes of nurses and family members regarding family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)
| Statement | Nurses (n=350) | Family (n=254) |
|---|---|---|
| Family members have the right to be present during CPR | 2.02 ± 0.75 | 3.73 ± 1.05 |
| Permission should be obtained in advance, if possible, from the patient prior to witnessed CPR | 2.47 ± 1.01 | 3.98 ± 0.89 |
| I would be present during CPR of my relative if allowed | 2.90 ± 1.24 | 3.73 ± 1.10 |
| Presence of family members would benefit the patient | 2.85 ± 1.36 | 3.19 ± 1.32 |
| Allows relatives to ensure everything was done | 2.18 ± 1.11 | 3.75 ± 1.11 |
| Allows relatives to stay with the patient until the end | 2.02 ± 0.91 | 3.79 ± 1.09 |
| Makes the patient less worried | 2.02 ± 0.91 | 2.51 ± 1.51 |
| Family members provide support to the patient | 2.73 ± 1.21 | 3.85 ± 1.07 |
| Would benefit the family members | 2.36 ± 1.03 | 3.88 ± 1.03 |
| May be beneficial to the relatives’ grieving process | 2.43 ± 1.02 | 1.87 ± 0.94 |
| Improves relatives’ understanding of CPR | 2.86 ± 1.24 | 3.93 ± 1.00 |
| May impair patient dignity | 2.30 ± 0.97 | 3.79 ± 1.10 |
| Relatives may have a bad last impression of patient | 4.18 ± 0.97 | 3.73 ± 1.16 |
| Process of CPR is too distressing to relatives | 3.93 ± 1.24 | 2.76 ± 1.15 |
| Relatives may have long-term psychological sequel | 4.02 ± 1.11 | 3.78 ± 1.03 |
| Family members may interfere with CPR | 4.32 ± 0.89 | 4.40 ± 0.92 |
| Will prolong the CPR, making the decision to stop more difficult | 4.06 ± 1.23 | 2.54 ± 1.19 |
| Increases the emotional stress of physicians | 3.66 ± 1.30 | 2.05 ± 0.99 |
| Negatively influences the physicians’ performance | 3.88 ± 1.20 | 1.96 ± 0.93 |
| Increases the emotional stress of nurses | 3.84 ± 1.21 | 3.46 ± 1.23 |
| Negatively influences the nurses’ performance | 4.38 ± 0.88 | 3.33 ± 1.20 |
| CPR performance will be negatively influenced | 4.44 ± 0.78 | 3.12 ± 1.19 |
| May increase litigation or complaint | 4.18 ± 1.15 | 4.12 ± 0.87 |
| Should be supported by a member of staff | 2.15 ± 0.74 | 3.82 ± 0.96 |
| Facilities must be available to screen off the area where the CPR takes place to allow privacy | 3.57 ± 1.22 | 3.60 ± 1.08 |
| The physician should speak with or write to the relatives afterwards to discuss the CPR | 3.40 ± 1.25 | 3.58 ± 1.17 |
| If required, the doctor should arrange appropriate referrals for witnessing relatives | 3.54 ± 1.05 | 4.12 ± 0.85 |
Data are presented as mean ± standard deviation. The range of score for each question was 1 to 5.