Evaluation of the satisfaction of relatives of patients at intensive care units

Intensive care is the multidisciplinary care and treatment method, provided to patients with a disease that constituters an acute threat of life or to such persons, at whom the development of such a disease is expected. It is to contribute to the satisfaction levels of the relatives of patients who are under intensive care. Our study is performed complementary in order to determine the satisfaction of the relatives of patients, who are in an intensive care unit. 85 patients, who had an open heart surgery at the Cardiovascular Intensive Care Unit of the Afyon Kocatepe University-Research and Application Hospital between February 10th-September 1st, 2008, are included into this study. The Family Satisfaction Query Form, which was developed in accordance to the literature, is used as the data collection form at our study. All patients? next of kin were mutually interviewed and survey forms were severally completed. According to results obtained from this study, following were found to increase satisfaction level as defined in brackets: honest behaviors of intensive care personnel (54%); ability of patient?s next of kin to physician (48%); care of attending nurses (51%); ability to play role in patient?s care (44.7%); sufficient explanation about invasive procedures (52%); interest of healthcare personnel under emergency conditions (52.9%); convenience and cleanliness of waiting room (56.4%); feeling of assurance given while patient was hospitalized in intensive care unit (44.7%); plain answers to questions (54.12%); quality of offered care (50%); inclusion of patient?s next of kin to decisions made in relation with patient (49.4%); regular interview with nurses (50.6%); attention attached to privacy (intimacy) during visit (50.6%); frequency of visit hours (47.6%); noise level in intensive care unit (50.6%); participation of patient on views about his or her improvement (49.4%). It was found that patient?s length of stay in intensive care unit, education status of patient?s next of kin, residence location, and regular information from healthcare personnel increases satisfaction level. In accordance with results obtained from present study, recommendations were made on arrangements and attempts required to be conducted by healthcare personnel in order to increase satisfaction level patient?s next of kin.Key words: Intensive care, family satisfaction, communication