Needs of family members of patients in a coronary care unit

OBJECTIVE: To identify the need of family members of patients hospitalized in a coronary intensive care unit and their degree of satisfaction with the care provided. METHODS: An observational and cross-sectional study including family members of patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit for acute coronary syndrome in Killip I or II. After the second visit of the same family member to the patient in the unit, a 43-item inventory of needs and stressors of family members was applied. Family members assessed each need for its importance and satisfaction using a four-point Likert scale. The scores in each dimension of importance and satisfaction were compared using the Wilcoxon test, considering a value of p<0.05 as significant. RESULTS: One hundred family members were interviewed. The most important needs were related to assurance and information. Family members had satisfaction scores corresponding to be very satisfied or totally satisfied, but with lower scores when compared to the needs scores (p<0.01). CONCLUSION: The most important needs of family members of patients hospitalized in the coronary intensive care unit were related to assurance and information. Multiprofessional interventions involving better communication of patient information to family members should be incorporated into the coronary intensive care unit.