Family member presence during pediatric emergency department procedures.
Publication/Presentation Date
8-1-1996
Abstract
OBJECTIVE: Exclusion of family members (FM) during pediatric procedures in the emergency department (ED) is an accepted practice. This study questions the validity of such a practice.
SUBJECTS: FM of ED pediatric patients undergoing procedures and ED staff performing procedures. SITES: ED of a tertiary care university-affiliated community hospital and the pediatric ED of a university hospital.
METHODS: Post-procedure surveys were obtained from FM remaining with their child during an ED procedure and from the ED personnel performing the procedures. FM activity during the procedure was also recorded.
RESULTS: Ninety-six children (average age 20 months) underwent a total of 127 procedures. ED procedures included: vascular access 91, lumbar puncture 23, urethral catheterization 9, nasogastric tube placement 1, rapid sequence intubation 1, fluid resuscitation from shock 1, and removal of foreign body from eye 1. Three children were critically ill during performance of procedures. ED staff answered 98 surveys concerning the performance of the 127 procedures. FM ACTIVITIES INCLUDED: Stood at bedside 35 (31%), soothed child 21 (19%), and helped restrain child 55 (55%). In 55 (57%) cases the FM was the only adult present with the ED staff member performing the procedure(s). FM MEMBER OPINIONS OF PRESENCE DURING PROCEDURES WERE: Good idea 101 (91%), bad idea 6 (5%), and did not care 4 (4%). ED staff opinions were: good idea 92 (93%), bad idea 2 (2%), and did not care 4 (5%). FM presence made four (5%) members of the ED staff nervous.
CONCLUSION: FM presence during ED procedures is a practice favored by both parents and ED staff at our institutions. This practice should not be limited to minimally invasive procedures in stable patients but should be considered for procedures such as lumbar punctures and intubations even in critically ill patients.
Volume
12
Issue
4
First Page
268
Last Page
271
ISSN
0749-5161
Published In/Presented At
Sacchetti, A., Lichenstein, R., Carraccio, C. A., & Harris, R. H. (1996). Family member presence during pediatric emergency department procedures. Pediatric emergency care, 12(4), 268–271. https://doi.org/10.1097/00006565-199608000-00008
Disciplines
Medicine and Health Sciences
PubMedID
8858650
Department(s)
Department of Medicine
Document Type
Article