Needs of critically ill patients' relatives in emergency departments

Background: Illnesses influence patients as well as patients' relatives and cause emotional problems, such as anger, fear, and anxiety. Determining the needs of patients' relatives increases satisfaction of patients and relatives and enhances health-care goal achievement. Objective: The objective of this study was to examine the needs of critically ill patients' relatives in emergency departments and the state of meeting these needs. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 202 critically ill patients' relatives at emergency department of Atatürk University Research Hospital. The data were collected using the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory for Emergency Departments (CCFNIED) and a form for meeting the needs of critically ill patients' relatives. Data were analyzed using percentage distribution, mean, analysis of variance, Mann–Whitney U test, and Kruskal–Wallis test. Results: The needs of patients' relatives according to the order of importance included communication with family members (3.88 ± 0.28), being supported (3.40 ± 0.42), being involved in care in the emergency department (3.27 ± 0.34), and comfort (3.20 ± 0.51). Using CCFNIED, the total mean score was 3.52 ± 0.31. Conclusion: Related studies are recommended to consider patients' relatives in the emergency department as a part of care, enable them to be involved in patient care, provide support for them, and enhance their comfort.