Intensive Care Unit (ICU) nurses’ experiences while supporting families following the deaths of their critically-ill relatives - Systematic review.

Abstract

Background: Mortality rates within ICU settings across Europe can be up to twenty percent. Patient deaths is extremely upsetting for families and nurses . Furthermore, the pain and grief that the families experienced can directly impact nurses. This study aims to investigates the critical care nurses' experiences when supporting families after the death of a seriously ill member of the family in Saudi Arabia. Method: Six articles were selected in application of inclusion/exclusion criteria. Selected articles were critically analysed through the use of Qualitative check list provided by Critical Appraisal Skills Programme [CASP]. In depth search of healthcare database searched for this review included: CINAHL, Pubmed, Cochrane Library and Ovid. In addition to manual search in Google scholar to retrieve all data. Results: Total of six articles included in this review. Three main themes emerged: Challenges in providing care: Communication and Language Challenges, Continuity of care and support systems to survive and cope with death and dying in a critical care unit. Some subthemes were as following: Cultural Differences and Psychological Impact of Death in ICU, family-patient centred care and collaborative work to achieve patients’ needs.