Analysis of the difference between importance and satisfaction of the needs of family members of critical patients

Objective: To analyze the difference between the degree of importance and satisfaction of the needs of family members of patients in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU). Design: A descriptive, cross-sectional analytical study was carried out. Setting: Medical - surgical ICU of a university hospital in Chile. Participants: Family members of critical patients with a length of stay of >= 48 hours, over 18 years of age, and with at least one visit to the patient. Variables of interest: The Critical Care Family Needs Inventory questionnaire was used to determine the difference between the degree of importance and satisfaction of the needs of the family members. In addition, the needs were classified according to the categories proposed by importance - performance analysis (IPA). Results: A total of 253 family members were recruited, observing a negative gap (satisfaction < importance) in 100% of communication needs and in 51.9% of support needs. In turn, 8.9% of the needs were priority needs according to the IPA, including assistance with financial problems, contact in case of changes in the patient condition, talk about the possibility of death, and the reception of guidance at the patient bedside. Conclusions: A high level of importance, compared to low levels of satisfaction, determines a negative gap in most of the needs of the family of the critical patient, particularly those referred to communication. Despite this, a low proportion of the needs should be addressed on a priority basis. (C) 2018 Elsevier Espana, S.L.U. y SEMICYUC. All rights reserved.