• Shanil Ebrahim, Simran Singh, and Christopher S Parshuram.
• Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Canada L8S 4K1.
• J Crit Care. 2013 Feb 1;28(1):40-5.

PurposeTo describe satisfaction, involvement, presence, and preferences of parents following their child's admission to an intensive care unit (ICU).MethodsA survey, administered 1 month after their child's ICU admission, described perceptions of parental satisfaction with their interaction with healthcare providers, their presence during resuscitation, involvement in treatment decision-making, and preferences if events were to be re-enacted.ResultsOne hundred three parents of 91 patients were enrolled; 64 primary parents (70%) completed the survey at 1 month. The mean (SD) satisfaction rating was 87.6 (±14.8) and involvement rating was 70.2 (±34.4) on a scale from 0 (not satisfied/involved) to 100 (completely satisfied/involved). There were no differences in satisfaction (P = .46), involvement (P = .69) and change in preferences (P = .97) between parents who were present and not present. After adjusting for child's baseline illness, receipt of more ICU therapies was associated with worse parental satisfaction (P = .03). Twenty-four (38%) parents reported that if events were repeated, they would have changed their preferences.ConclusionsOverall, parental satisfaction ratings were high, lower in parents of children receiving more ICU therapies, and not associated with presence during resuscitation. These data contrast the American Heart Association's recommendation and suggestion of benefit from parental presence during periods of intensive therapies.Copyright © 2013 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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