Natalia Sak-Dankosky
@wum.edu.pl
Department of Clinical Nursing
Medical University of Warsaw
Experienced Nurse Researcher and Teacher working as an Assistant Professor with a demonstrated history of working in the higher education industry in Europe and the US. Skilled in Clinical Research and Health Education. Strong research professional with a Doctor of Health Sciences degree focused on Nursing Science from the University of Eastern Finland. Passionate about Science, Statistics, Evidence-Based Nursing, Patient & Family-Centered Care in Critical Care, Student-Centered Learning, and Good Research Practice. Clinically working as a Nurse Anesthetist. @Sigma and @INS member. Cited in ERC guidelines '21
EDUCATION
BSN, MSN - Medical University of Warsaw
PhD - University of Eastern Finland
Anesthesia and Intensive Care Nursing Specialist - Medical University of Warsaw
RESEARCH, TEACHING, or OTHER INTERESTS
Nursing, Critical Care Nursing, Issues, ethics and legal aspects
Scopus Publications
Scopus Publications
Mojtaba Vaismoradi, Abbas Mardani, Manuel Lillo Crespo, Patricia A. Logan, and Natalia Sak-Dankosky
SAGE Publications
Background: Deprescription of medications for older people in long-term care settings is crucial to enhance medication safety by reducing polypharmacy and minimizing related adverse events. Nurses as the member of the multidisciplinary healthcare team can support deprescription initiatives, but there is a gap in comprehensive knowledge about their roles. Objectives: To investigate the role and contribution of nurses in deprescribing medications within the multidisciplinary pharmaceutical care context of long-term healthcare for older people. Design: A systematic review utilizing an integrative approach was performed. Methods: Multiple databases were searched, including PubMed (covering MEDLINE), Scopus, CINAHL, ProQuest and Embase, focusing on studies published in English from 2014 to 2024. The preliminary search yielded 4872 studies, which were then refined to 32 qualitative and quantitative studies chosen for data analysis and narrative synthesis. Thematic comparisons and analysis led to the creation of meaningful categories integrating the studies’ findings to meet the review’s objective. Results: The review findings were classified into categories: ‘necessity and benefits of deprescribing’, ‘multidisciplinary collaboration for deprescribing’, ‘nurse role in deprescribing’, ‘identified challenges to deprescribing’, ‘involvement of older people and families in deprescribing’. They illustrated and exemplified various aspects of nurses’ roles and contributions in deprescription initiatives within the multidisciplinary pharmaceutical care team, such as support for reducing doses, discontinuing medications or transitioning to safer alternatives, as well as factors influencing this process. Conclusion: The main dimensions of nurses’ roles and contributions in deprescription initiatives encompass monitoring, communicating and educating. Challenges to nurses’ active participation in deprescribing, such as the need for increased knowledge, confidence and inclusion in team discussions, should be addressed through education, training and changing attitudes. These steps are essential for improving the safety of medication deprescribing in long-term care settings. Trial registration: The review was registered under PROSPERO ID: CRD42023486484, and can be accessed at crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/display_record.php?RecordID=486484
Maria I. Witkowska, Katja Janhunen, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, and Tarja Kvist
Wiley
AbstractAim(s)To identify and summarize evidence on paediatric patient safety in a hospital setting from parents' point of view.DesignA mixed‐methods systematic review.Prospero IDID number CRD42023453626.Data SourcesPubMed, Scopus, ScienceDirect, the Cochrane Library and the Wiley database were searched in July 2023.Review MethodsTwo researchers independently applied eligibility criteria, selected studies and conducted a quality appraisal. Data‐based convergent synthesis and thematic content analysis were employed.ResultsTwelve studies were included: eight qualitative research studies, two cross‐sectional studies, one non‐randomized experimental study and one mixed‐methods study. The results were grouped into two themes—parental perceptions of inclusion in paediatric patient safety and parental perceptions of exclusion from paediatric patient safety—and comprised seven main subthemes: comfort in communication, parental engagement, communication difficulties, withdrawal from activity, uncertainty about available information and threats to patient safety.ConclusionsParents are willing to be engaged in care but require support from healthcare professionals, as they are often anxious about the condition of their children and actions they believe might be helpful. They need to be treated as valuable partners and be engaged in communication and decision processes.ImpactThe development and implementation of interventions involving parents in ensuring the safety of hospitalized paediatric patients should be of the utmost priority to healthcare organizations, as the common theme throughout the included studies was the need for improved communication with and recognition of parents as allies.Reporting MethodThe Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) checklist was followed.Patient or Public ContributionNo Patient or Public Contribution.
Calixtus Abiodun Okere, Tarja Kvist, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, and Victor Yerris
Wiley
AbstractAimTo systematically review the types of spiritual interventions available for colorectal cancer survivors and determine if they improve their lives.DesignSystematic review.Data SourceA thorough literature search was conducted in July 2023 using PRIMO, PubMed/Medline, Cochrane, CINAHL, Scopus, and EMBASE.Review MethodsAs an extension of the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta‐Analysis (PRISMA) checklist, the Synthesis Without Meta‐Analysis reporting guideline was employed. A narrative synthesis was used to analyse the data.ResultsThirty‐five articles were analysed for this study. The findings suggest that psychoeducational intervention, cognitive behavioural therapy intervention, mindfulness intervention, social intervention, and spiritual counselling improved CRC survivor's coping skills, boosted self‐esteem, lessened anxiety, instilled hope, enhanced daily functioning, improved survival rates, improved neurological functional status and quality of life (QoL).ConclusionThere is proof that spiritual interventions help CRC patients and improve their QoL. It has been discovered that spiritual intervention is helpful in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of CRC conditions.ImpactCRC survivors may have impairments in their physical ability and daily functioning as a result of many symptoms, such as pain, bowel dysfunction, and exhaustion. Furthermore, individuals may encounter difficulties in several aspects of their psychological, emotional, social, and role functioning due to the presence of dread symptoms. Therefore, these study will help CRC survivors To implement spiritual interventions in the management of their long‐term care. To cultivate problem‐solving abilities, foster self‐assurance, and enhance self‐awareness. To alleviate symptoms, enhance everyday functioning, and improve QoL. No InducementNo financial incentives were used to compensate patients or members of the public for this review.
Frank Kiwanuka, Rose Clarke Nanyonga, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, and Tarja Kvist
Wiley
AbstractAimsTo describe nurses' perceptions of family nursing practice and to explore the influence of their perceptions of the benefits, barriers and activities of family engagement in care on family nursing practice.DesignA cross‐sectional correlational study.MethodsIn total, 460 nurses from two tertiary hospitals in the central region of Uganda participated. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected between August 2020 and January 2021 using the Family Nursing Practice Scale. Analyses included descriptive statistics, t‐test, Pearson correlation, analysis of variance and ordinal logistics regression. Quantitative content analysis was carried out on the textual data.ResultsNurses who perceived that family engagement in care improves patient and family outcomes were more likely to rate family nursing practice highly. Perceived barriers to family engagement in care particularly time constraints, work overload and family‐related conflicts have a negative and significant influence on family nursing practice. Nurse characteristics such as education, usual shift pattern and personal experience of having a family member in hospital are significantly associated with family nursing practice; nurses who work morning shifts were likely to report higher family nursing practice.ConclusionThe study reveals that several parameters (perceived barriers, perceived benefits and nurse characteristics) influence nursing practice with families. Thus, bearing in mind the diversity of healthcare contexts, the findings show that multiple interacting factors are important for advancing family nursing interventions and practice.ImpactProbabilistic factor‐specific predictions of nursing practice with families are provided in this study – this addresses a gap in the evidence regarding the elements that should be optimized when designing well‐informed policies and interventions to advance family nursing practice. A comparison of results in the literature with the present study's findings suggests a need to broaden the scope and context perspective in future research and broaden the understanding of how nurses´ perceptions influence family engagement in care.Reporting methodThe study adheres to the STROBE reporting guidelines.Patient or public contributionFamily members/caregivers were involved in the design of the study particularly in assessment of validation of the tools used in the study.
Maciej Latos, Bartosz Sadownik, Natalia Sak-Dankosky, Orest Stach, Robert Becler, Aleksandra Barabasz, Maciej Małyszko, Mateusz Zawadka, Paweł Andruszkiewicz, and Dariusz Kosson
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Abstract Introduction. Midline catheters (MCs) are an option for vascular access alongside the commonly used short peripheral intravenous catheters, centrally and peripherally inserted central catheters. Aim. The aim of this study was to evaluate the solution implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic in a centre where MC access had not been used before. Material and method. It was an observational retrospective evaluation of the 98 medical registries of adult patients. Results. The mean time from hospital admission to midline catheter insertion was 15 days. The most common indications for the catheter implementation were: difficult intravenous access (83%) and expected time hospital stay >6 days (17%). The mean dwell time of the catheters was 9 days. The most common reasons for removal were: the end of intravenous therapy (44%) and catheter blockages (36%). Conclusions. A high level of prematurely removed catheters was observed, despite the existence of a hospital protocol. The high percentage of MCs removed before the end of intravenous therapy may be indicative of the poor quality of care and the need for continuous education of medical staff. The results obtained should be confi rmed in a prospective study planned on their basis in order to identify interventions which are necessary to improve the quality of vascular access care.
Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska, Katarzyna Zorena, Adriano Friganović, and Natalia Sak-Dankosky
Frontiers Media SA
COPYRIGHT © 2022 Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska, Zorena, Friganović and Sak-Dankosky. This is an open-access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (CC BY). The use, distribution or reproduction in other forums is permitted, provided the original author(s) and the copyright owner(s) are credited and that the original publication in this journal is cited, in accordance with accepted academic practice. No use, distribution or reproduction is permitted which does not comply with these terms. Editorial: Patient and medical sta safety in the 21st century
Frank Kiwanuka, Juho Kopra, Natalia Sak-Dankosky, Rose Clarke Nanyonga, and Tarja Kvist
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
Background Measures in nursing research frequently use Likert scales that yield ordinal data. Confirmatory factor analysis using Pearson correlations commonly applies to such data, although this violates ordinal scale assumptions. Objectives The aim of this study was to illustrate the application of polychoric correlations and polychoric confirmatory factor analysis as a valid alternative statistical approach using data on family members’ perceived support from nurses as an exemplar. Methods A primary analysis of cross-sectional data from a sample of 800 participants using data collected with the Iceland-Family Perceived Support Questionnaire was conducted using polychoric versus Pearson correlations, analysis of variance, and confirmatory factor analysis. Results A two-factor measurement model was compatible with data from family members in the Ugandan care settings. Two contextual factors (cognitive and emotional support) constituted the family support measurement model. A factor correlation indicated that the two factors reflected distinct but closely related aspects of family support. Polychoric correlation revealed 13.8% (range: 5.5%–25.2%) higher correlations compared to Pearson correlations. Moreover, the polychoric agreed with the data, whereas the Pearson confirmatory factor analysis did not fit based on multiple statistical criteria. Analyses indicated a difference in emotional and cognitive support perception across two family characteristics: education and relationship to the patient. Discussion A polychoric correlation suggests stronger associations, and consequently, the approach can be more credible with an ordinal Likert scale than Pearson correlations. Hence, polychoric confirmatory factor analysis can address a larger proportion of variance. In nursing research, polychoric confirmatory factor analysis can confidently be utilized when conducting confirmatory factor analysis of ordinal variables in Likert scales. Furthermore, when a Pearson confirmatory factor analysis is used for ordinal Likert scales, the researcher should carefully evaluate the difference between the two approaches and justify their methodological choice. Even though we do not suggest dispensing with Pearson correlations entirely, we recommend using polychoric correlation for ordinal Likert scales.
Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Paula Sherwood, Katri Vehviläinen‐Julkunen, and Tarja Kvist
Wiley
AbstractAimThe aim of this study was to determine what kind of psychosocial interventions aimed at improving the well‐being of adult cancer patient caregivers were developed, and to describe the methodological characteristics and clinical effectiveness of the interventions which could be included in the nursing care plans.DesignSystematic reviewData sourcesA systematic search of three databases (PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) was conducted to identify peer‐reviewed papers published between years 2004–2019.Review MethodsThe review was guided by the Joanna Briggs Institute manual for systematic reviews. Data were extracted and appraised by three reviewers using standardized checklists. Narrative synthesis was used to analyse the data.ResultsA total of 37 studies underwent analysis. Most of the studies described psychoeducational interventions, designed for patient‐caregiver dyads, delivered face‐to‐face. There was a great variety in caregiver outcomes and measurement tools used. Even though most studies used a randomized controlled design and standardized intervention protocols, many reported problems with recruitment and attrition. Most studies reported that the intervention improved caregiver outcomes, yet the majority of them failed to report effect sizes.ConclusionThere are currently a plethora of successful interventions available for cancer patient caregivers which can be included to the nursing care plan. Psychoeducational online interventions which include a social support component may have the best potential in supporting caregivers. It is important to address specific caregiver needs at different cancer stages rather than general needs of caregivers in future interventions.ImpactThis review suggests that despite a large number of different interventions which can be included in the nursing care plan to improve the support offered to caregivers, some issues should be addressed while designing an intervention study. The emphasis should be placed on reporting effect sizes, focusing on specific caregiver needs and improving recruitment, retention strategies and sustainability of caregiver interventions.
Katarzyna Lis, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, and Bożena Czarkowska‐Pączek
Wiley
AbstractBackgroundThe current literature indicates that intensive care (ICU) patients' sleep quality is generally poor, which is associated with serious physical and psychological consequences.Aims and objectivesTo describe the practices nurses use to provide good‐quality sleep to adult ICU patients and assess nurses' perceptions of patients' sleep quality and nurses' professional autonomy in sleep management.DesignA descriptive‐correlational, cross‐sectional study.MethodsA total of 232 ICU nurses from four hospitals in Poland were recruited. Data were collected between May and August 2019 using a previously developed questionnaire and analysed using descriptive statistics and non‐parametric tests.ResultsA total of 119 nurses took part in the study (response rate: 51%). On average, nurses rated patients' sleep quality as moderate (4.44 ± 2.23, scale 0‐10). Most of the respondents (95.8%) said they did not use any sleep protocol. Various strategies to improve patients' sleep were used sporadically (2.64 ± 1.55, scale 1‐5). The use of sleep quality assessment methods was positively correlated with patients' sleep quality (rho = 0.22, P = .02). Nurses' professional autonomy regarding sleep management was assessed as average (4.34 ± 2.43, scale 0‐10) and was correlated with the patients' sleep quality (rho = 0.25, P < .01). Nurses who rated their autonomy in patients' sleep management more highly (rho = 0.29, P < .01) and more often influenced patients' sleep decisions (rho = 0.24, P < .01) used more methods to improve patients' sleep.ConclusionsStrengthening the professional autonomy of ICU nurses and creating a reliable sleep assessment and improvement tool, which would describe strategies nurses can implement independently could increase sleep quality among ICU patients.Relevance to clinical practiceAddressing organizational problems, which hamper the patients' sleep management by ICU nurses could result in using more strategies to provide good‐quality sleep to ICU patients. There is a need for clinical guidelines regarding patients' sleep management to help educate and guide nurses how to independently use sleep improvement methods.
Frank Kiwanuka, Natalia Sak-Dankosky, Yisak Hagos Alemayehu, Rose Clarke Nanyonga, and Tarja Kvist
Elsevier BV
Frank Kiwanuka, Rose Clarke Nanyonga, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Patience A. Muwanguzi, and Tarja Kvist
Hindawi Limited
AIM
To examine the impact of nursing leadership styles on intensive care unit quality measures.
BACKGROUND
Evidence on the impact of leadership styles has direct implications for building and strengthening leadership behaviors that foster quality nursing care in intensive care units.
EVALUATION
An integrative review approach was adopted. Databases including the Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature, PubMed, Scopus, ProQuest, Google Scholar, and the Cochrane Library were searched.
KEY ISSUES(S)
Out of 253 identified studies, seven were included in the review. Leaderships styles in intensive care units include transformational, considerate, exemplary, trusted and absentee leadership. Active nurse leaders who share a common vision, and advocate for their staff are perceived as more effective than those who exhibit absentee characteristics. Structural measures influenced by leadership styles include productivity, and morale of nursing staff. Outcome measures such as staff outcomes (intent to stay, job satisfaction), medication errors, and periventricular/intraventricular hemorrhage in neonatal intensive care units have a positive relational effect with nursing leadership style.
CONCLUSIONS
The findings highlight the link between nursing leadership styles on structural and outcomes measures in intensive care units. The current literature lacks studies highlighting the impact of nursing leadership styles on process measures in intensive care units.
IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT
Transformational, considerate, exemplary leadership practices, and trusted leadership styles when used by nurse leaders guarantee higher quality of nursing care in intensive care units. Therefore, modern leadership styles need to be supported by healthcare organizations, and education.
Lena Serafin, Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, and Bożena Czarkowska‐Pączek
Wiley
AbstractAimsTo report a synthesis of the empirical studies that used the Negative Acts Questionnaire‐Revised (NAQ‐R) to assess bullying among nurses based on evaluation of the psychometric properties and use and usability of the instrument and identification of the variables associated with bullying.DesignSystematic review and meta‐analysis.Data sourcesFour databases were used in the literature search: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO and Scopus. The search was limited to original publications describing results of empirical studies written in English or Polish and published in peer‐reviewed journals between 2002 and 2018.Review methodsTwo reviewers independently assessed eligibility, extracted data and conducted quality assessment. Based on the extracted data, three separate meta‐analyses were conducted.ResultsThirty‐one articles were included in the review, 13 of which were selected for meta‐analysis. In studies where participants reported bullying (N = 19), its prevalence ranged from 17–94%. Variables most often associated with bullying were age, educational level and years of professional experience. Usability of this instrument in different countries was supported by a high reliability in each study. In two meta‐analyses, which included 12 studies with mean NAQ‐R and item scores, the heterogeneity of data was calculated as high and moderate respectively.ConclusionThe good quality of the NAQ‐R in determining variables related to bullying is endorsed. Variables related to bullying identified in this review could be used to map out a model of a potential bullying victim for preventative measures.ImpactThe NAQ‐R is a useful and reliable tool for measuring bullying among nurses; however, there remains a strong need to assure that a verified, standardized and updated bullying taxonomy is used in future studies to ensure reliable and comparable data. A model of a potential bullying victim may help nursing directors foster a healthier workplace environment, thereby improving patient outcomes in the long‐term.
Julita Cichomska, Natalia Sak-Dankosky, and Bożena Czarkowska-Pączek
Walter de Gruyter GmbH
Abstract Introduction. Breast cancer has been one of the biggest oncological problems both in Poland and around the world. In 2014, a total of 17,379 new cases of this disease were diagnosed in Poland, which constitutes 22% of all cancer types in women. A growing number of women suffering from this type of cancer poses a challenge for the future nurses who should have enough knowledge to professionally plan and implement high quality care to their patients. Aim. To investigate whether nursing students have knowledge about breast cancer prevention. Methods. The study was conducted in 2019 and included 166 nursing students from the Medical University of Warsaw. The diagnostic survey method was used to collect data, and with the author’s consent, a survey developed by dr Jolanta Sielska was used. Results. Over a half of the respondents (67.58%) knew correct answers regarding the principles of breast cancer prevention. Out of maximum of 22 points, students in average scored a total of 14.87 points, indicating a good level of knowledge regarding this issue. The majority of students (96.39%) claimed they knew the principles of breast self-examination. One fourth of the respondents (26.51%) rated their knowledge in the field of breast cancer prevention as 7 on a scale from 1 to 10. There was no correlation between students’ self-assessment of their knowledge and the actual level of knowledge regarding this topic. Conclusions. Nursing students from the Medical University of Warsaw generally have good knowledge about breast cancer prevention. This suggests that they are prepared to educate their future patients during professional work.
Katarzyna Czyż-Szypenbej, Wioletta Mędrzycka-Dąbrowska, and Natalia Sak-Dankosky
Ovid Technologies (Wolters Kluwer Health)
To the Editor: It is with great interest that we recently read two articles— Estrup et al (1) and Sakusic et al (2)—concerning the impairment of cognitive functions after an ICU stay, which were published in a recent issue of Critical Care Medicine. Reports on cognitive functioning after illness, surgical procedure, or cardiopulmonary resuscitation have been widely presented in literature in recent years. This is a very important issue, as the researchers aim at identifying modifiable risk factors for cognitive impairment (CI), as well as the test types which would be most useful for cognitive functional testing. Sakusic et al (2) identified the potential risk factors for CI after an ICU stay, namely acute brain failure, severe hypotension, hypoxemia, hyperthermia, fluctuations in serum glucose levels, and treatment with vancomycin or quinolones. On the other hand, authors of earlier studies found that hyperglycemia requiring insulin therapy after surgical procedures is one of the CI risk factors We thank the author for bringing our attention to the typing error. This is to be corrected to “All included studies were reported between 2001 and 2017.” To conclude, we agree that there is a difference between a literature review and a systematic review. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis. We restricted our metaanalysis to the 10 articles with available data. We welcome a meta-analysis on the subject matter or an independent discussion of our results from Dr. Nadeem (1). Dr. Johnson-Akeju received support for article research from the National Institutes of Health. Dr. Fadayomi disclosed that they do not have any potential conflicts of interest.
Natalia Sak-Dankosky, Paweł Andruszkiewicz, Paula R. Sherwood, and Tarja Kvist
Elsevier BV
Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Paweł Andruszkiewicz, Paula R. Sherwood, and Tarja Kvist
Wiley
ABSTRACTBackgroundIn‐hospital, family‐witnessed cardiopulmonary resuscitation of adults has been found to help patients' family members deal with the short‐ and long‐term emotional consequences of resuscitation. Because of its benefits, many national and international nursing and medical organizations officially recommend this practice. Research, however, shows that family‐witnessed resuscitation is not widely implemented in clinical practice, and health care professionals generally do not favour this recommendation.AimTo describe and provide an initial basis for understanding health care professionals' views and perspectives regarding the implementation of an in‐hospital, family‐witnessed adult resuscitation practice in two European countries.Study designAn inductive qualitative approach was used in this study.MethodsFinnish (n = 93) and Polish (n = 75) emergency and intensive care nurses and physicians provided written responses to queries regarding their personal observations, concerns and comments about in‐hospital, family‐witnessed resuscitation of an adult. Data were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.FindingsThe study analysis yielded five themes characterizing health care professionals' main concerns regarding family‐witnessed resuscitation: (1) family's horror, (2) disturbed workflow (3) no support for the family, (4) staff preparation and (5) situation‐based decision.ConclusionDespite existing evidence revealing the positive influence of family‐witnessed resuscitation on patients, relatives and cardiopulmonary resuscitation process, Finnish and Polish health care providers cited a number of personal and organizational barriers against this practice. The results of this study begin to examine reasons why family‐witnessed resuscitation has not been widely implemented in practice. In order to successfully apply current evidence‐based resuscitation guidelines, provider concerns need to be addressed through educational and organizational changes.Relevance to clinical practiceThis study identified important implementation barriers for allowing families in critical care settings to be present during resuscitation efforts. These results can be further used in developing and adjusting clinical practice policies, protocols and guidelines related to family‐witnessed resuscitation.
Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Paweł Andruszkiewicz, Paula R. Sherwood, and Tarja Kvist
Wiley
AbstractAimsTo examine factors associated with healthcare professionals' experiences and attitudes towards adult family‐witnessed resuscitation in the emergency and intensive care units.BackgroundFamily‐witnessed resuscitation offers the option for patients' families to be present during in‐hospital resuscitation. It is important to understand healthcare professionals' views about this practice to determine why, despite its benefits and general recommendation, this practice has not been widely implemented.DesignA descriptive, correlational, cross‐sectional survey.MethodsA total of 390 Finnish and Polish Registered Nurses and physicians from six university hospitals took part in the study. A structured questionnaire that examined nurses' and physicians' experiences and attitudes was used. Data, collected between July–December 2013, were analysed with descriptive statistics, logistic and multiple linear regression analyses.ResultsThe results indicated that healthcare professionals are not well experienced in family‐witnessed resuscitation. The general attitude towards this practice is somewhat negative. Physicians seem more confident about overcoming process‐related barriers than nurses. Having previous positive experiences of family‐witnessed resuscitation was associated with a more positive attitude towards this practice. Consequently a previous negative experience was associated with more negative attitudes.ConclusionFamily‐witnessed resuscitation awareness should be increased in daily clinical practice. It is important to find a way to improve experiences and attitudes of healthcare professionals related to this phenomenon. Furthermore, developing local guidelines and multidisciplinary training plans is needed to respond to the needs of patients and their families.
Natalia Sak‐Dankosky, Paweł Andruszkiewicz, Paula R. Sherwood, and Tarja Kvist
Wiley
AbstractAimAn integrative review of attitudes and experiences of healthcare professionals regarding family‐witnessed resuscitation.BackgroundAllowing family members to be present during resuscitation has been a topic of debate in the last years. Increased focus on family centred care led to preparation of official statements concerning this phenomenon. While in some countries witnessed resuscitation is accepted and used, there are many places where it is not respected and remains controversial.DesignIntegrative literature review.Data sourcesDatabases: CINAHL, PsycINFO and PubMed.Review methodsCooper's five‐stage integrative review method has been used. Results were limited to original publications in English, published between 2007–2012, describing nurses' and doctors' experiences and attitudes on inpatient family‐witnessed resuscitation of an adult patient.ResultsFifteen articles were included. Healthcare professionals indicated different opinions on family‐witnessed resuscitation. Perceptions vary in different cultural settings. There are both positive and negative effects of this practice on the family members and the rescue team. There is a lack of local guidelines.ConclusionFurther research with larger sample sizes and different cultural settings would help identify outcomes following the family presence during resuscitation practice. Qualitative research is needed to examine the impact of those outcomes and develop policies and guidelines on cultural variability.