Significant increases were seen in the areas of family satisfaction related to care and treatment of their loved one; family perception of safe hospital environment; improved comprehension of information provided to families; and decreased patient anxiety. The most profound impact was on the degree to which families felt they were involved in the decision-making process. In addition, results showed significant decreases in family members' stress/anxiety level when they received CCFAP information or services. In regard to staff, results showed that there were significant increases in staff identification and referrals of families in need of services; staff perception of positive change in family satisfaction of communication, care, and treatment; collaboration among ICU team members and hospital departments; and the ability of hospital to respond to family needs.
"The Critical Care Family Assistance Program has allowed us to increase the level of service we provide for our ICU patients and their families. As a result, we have had an overwhelming positive response from families, patients, and hospital team members," said Raymond Grady, President and CEO of Evanston Hospital. "The success of the CCFAP at Evanston has encouraged us to consider expanding the family assistance program to other areas of the hospital."
The CHEST Foundation, the philanthropic arm of the ACCP, provided funding for implementation of the CCFAP in eight sites across the country. Although specific amenities vary from site to site, hospitals that have implemented the CCFAP offer family members hospitality and support services, educational resources, and adapt technology and the ICU physical enviro
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Contact: Jennifer Stawarz
jstawarz@chestnet.org
847-498-8306
American College of Chest Physicians
12-Sep-2005