Experiences and Needs of Families With a Relative Admitted to an Adult Intensive Care Unit.

The article reviews and synthesizes research studies on the experiences and needs of families with a relative in an adult intensive care unit. Research findings indicate family member's altered psychological health, comfort and reassurance brought by family member proximity and involvement to relatives, variation in information and communication needs among relatives, and unfamiliarity with technological ICU environment that can incite feelings of fright and helplessness.