Family Nursing in Acute-Care Adult Settings

Chapter 16 Family Nursing in Acute-Care Adult Settings

Waiting Rooms and Family Spaces

According to your textbook, when families of critically ill patients are not at the bedside with their loved ones, they are likely spending time in the hospital’s waiting areas. Environmental considerations for families visiting and staying in the hospital include noise reduction, private spaces, areas for sleeping, access to Wi-Fi, accessible bathrooms, healthy food and drinks, and natural areas to reduce stress. Improving the family experience can increase satisfaction with care and reduce psychological and physical stress responses. Recommendations from IPFCC (2017) include asking questions, based on the following list, about the environment and design of hospitals. The design of the hospital should do the following:

?  Create positive and welcoming impressions throughout for patients and families.

?  Display messages that communicate to patients and families that they are essential members of the health care team.

?  Reflect the diversity of patients and families served and address their unique needs.

?  Provide for the privacy and comfort of patients and families.

?  Support the presence and participation of families.

?  Support the collaboration of physicians and staff members across disciplines.

For this week’s discussion, pick at least two (2) design recommendations from the list above and discuss why you feel they are essential when designing a waiting room for family members.

For ALL DBs (unless otherwise instructed): Each must have:

 One 300-word Initial Post (IP) with one (1) peer-reviewed journal or book reference.

 One 150-word Response with one (1) peer-reviewed journal article or book reference.