Views of emergency and intensive care unit nurses regarding family presence during emergency procedures at the hospitals in Walvisbay, Erongo region, Namibia
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Date
2023
Authors
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Publisher
University of Namibia
Abstract
The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the views of emergency and
intensive care unit nurses regarding family presence during emergency procedures at the
hospitals in Walvis Bay, Erongo Region, Namibia. Moreover, the significance of this
study was mainly to understand the challenges faced by nurses when family members
were present during emergency procedures and encouraging the creation and
implementation of policies regarding family presence during emergency procedures with
the aim of caring for the patient holistically using a patient-and family-centred approach.
The main objectives of this study were to explore and describe the views of emergency
and intensive care unit nurses regarding family presence during emergency procedures
at the studied hospitals in Walvis Bay, Namibia. The study employed a qualitative
approach utilizing exploratory, descriptive, and contextual research design to determine
the views of emergency and intensive care unit nurses regarding family presence during
emergency procedures at the two hospitals in Walvis Bay, Namibia.
The population of this study comprised of thirty-five (35) nurses who provide nursing
care in emergency rooms and intensive care units, including high-care units at the Walvis
Bay State Hospital and a private hospital specializing in emergency and critical care. The
sample size consisted of thirty-one (31) participants. Rich data on the views of nurses
working in the ER and ICU regarding family presence was collected using an interview
guide until data saturation was reached.
The three (3) fundamental ethical principles guided the researcher namely: principle of
respect for persons, principle of beneficence and principle of justice which were adhered
to during the study. After gaining consent, the researcher physically interviewed the
participants using an interview guide, voice recorder and field notes.
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Data were analysed using Tesch’s eight steps of data analysis and content analysis. Four
(4) themes emerged, and (9) sub themes emerged from nine predetermined questions to
each interviewee and formed part of the study’s results. The findings of the study reveal
that nurses hold varyingly strong views regarding family presence during emergency
procedures and that both the family and nurses are affected by this practice, Intensive
Care Unit nurses were more receptive to FPDEP and many nurses felt that a formal
evidenced based policy would encourage best practices. The study's findings may help
identify potential benefits of family presence during emergency procedures and
encourage understanding of the challenges faced with the drafting and implementation
of policies and procedures regarding family presence during emergency procedures.
Thus, it is intended that the study findings may provide information contributing to the
body of knowledge.
It is recommended that the study's findings be used to develop policies for family
presence during an emergency procedure and incorporate such policy with a patient and
family-centred approach to health care, training ‘nurse counsellors by a tertiary
institution in conjunction with health services that are empowered to facilitate the
activities of family member presence. Further studies on the of patient’s and family
members views regarding being present during emergency procedures would further add
to the profession's body of knowledge
Description
A thesis submitted in fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in nursing science
Keywords
View, Emergency unit, Intensive care unit, Nurse, Family, Emergency procedures, Hospital