• Ruth A Weyant, Lory Clukey, Melanie Roberts, and Ann Henderson.
• Ruth A. Weyant is a staff registered nurse in the cardiac intensive care unit, Medical Center of the Rockies, Loveland, Colorado. Lory Clukey is an associate professor, University of Northern Colorado, Greeley, Colorado. Melanie Roberts is a critical care clinical nurse specialist, Medical Center of the Rockies. Ann Henderson is an education nurse specialist, Medical Center of the Rockies. ruthie.weyant@uchealth.org.
• Am. J. Crit. Care. 2017 Mar 1; 26 (2): 111-117.

BackgroundAlthough it is perceived as essential, documentation of caring behaviors executed by nurses is rarely done. To facilitate what is important to patients and their family members, we need to understand what behaviors are perceived as caring or not caring.ObjectiveTo explore perceptions of nurses' caring behaviors among intubated patients and their family members.MethodsA phenomenological study of 14 patients who were intubated, restrained, sedated, and received pain medication in an acute cardiovascular intensive care unit. The 14 patients and 8 of their family members were interviewed about their perceptions of this experience. A semistructured interview guide was used. Data were analyzed by using an inductive method consistent with qualitative research.ResultsThemes that emerged most often were providing information, providing reassurance, demonstrating proficiency, and being present. Other behaviors identified as caring behaviors were nurses giving guidance and using a soothing tone of voice. Behavior that was contrary to the perception of caring appeared as isolated incidents. These included negative attitude, interrupting sleep, not receiving information, and poor pain management.ConclusionWhen patients and family members are asked directly about their experience, valuable insight is gained into what they perceive as caring and what contributes to recovery as perceived by those in crisis and in high-intensity medical settings. Capturing these data is elemental to designing high-quality, safe environments that facilitate healing.©2017 American Association of Critical-Care Nurses.

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