Health care providers' perceptions of family presence during pediatric resuscitation.

Background: The Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) team strives to achieve the family-centred care philosophy consistent with the organization's vision and mission. In 2006, a team of nurses began exploration of the evidence on family presence during pediatric resuscitation with the primary goal to integrate this knowledge into practice. From the literature search, it was apparent there was limited published research, especially in a Canadian pediatric setting. This led to a staged research project to explore and, subsequently, integrate family presence during resuscitation into the culture.

Objectives: 1) To explore health care providers' perceptions of family presence during pediatric resuscitation (2007), 2) Based on these findings, develop and integrate a guideline to best support this practice (2008-2009), and 3) Re-examine health care providers' perceptions post guideline implementation (2010).

Methodology: Following approval from the University of Manitoba nursing and education ethics review board and the site research coordinating committee, survey methodology was used to gather data at baseline (2007) and again post implementation (2010). Data were analyzed independently at each time interval and then in comparison to explore the quantitative and qualitative responses.

Findings: In 2007, data demonstrated sufficient support to move this project forward. In addition, the survey indentified facilitators and barriers to assist in both the development of an evidence-based guideline and the successful integration into practice. In 2010, the post-implementation survey supported the evidenced-based practice guideline had achieved its goal of integration into practice.