Critical care nurses and relatives of elderly patients in intensive care unit – Ambivalent interaction

Annual Congress and Medicare Expo on Trauma & Critical Care

March 07-09, 2016 Madrid, Spain

Abderrahim Akroute

Bodo Hospital, Norway

Posters & Accepted Abstracts: J Trauma Treat

Abstract :

The objective was to explore the experiences of CCNs in relation to relatives of elderly patients 80 years and older admitted to ICU. Through methods grounded in phenomenology, 6 CCNs were purposefully selected for their experiences with relatives of elderly patients admitted to an ICU in Norway. Each CCN participated in semi-structured personal interviews. Using content analysis, interviews were coded and categories and themes were identified. An overall theme emerged: â�?�?CCNs ambivalent interactive struggle with the relatives of elderly patientsâ�?, which reflected the mixed feelings that CCNs recalled having towards relatives. Two themes emerged during the analysis. Those were: â�?�?relatives are a resource for CCNs and the patientâ�?; and â�?�?relatives are seen as challengeâ�?. 6 sub-themes were identified: 1) CCNs are relying on relatives, 2) relatives and their understanding of the situation, 3) relatives are committed, 4) relatives have high expectations, 5) relatives can be seen as burden and 6) relatives with cultural differences are a challenge. CCNâ�?�?s experiences with the relatives of elderly patients in ICU represent a significant personal, mixed struggle. The findings indicate that development of communication, education, reflection and a more structured organization of intensive care unit can improve results for CCNs and may improve the possibilities for CCNs to promote an excellent family nursing for the elderly patient and his relatives.