American journal of critical care : an official publication, American Association of Critical-Care Nurses
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Lack of communication from healthcare providers contributes to the anxiety and distress reported by patients' families after a patient's death in the intensive care unit. ⋯ Uncertainty about the prognosis of the patient, decisions that families make before a terminal condition, what to expect during dying, and the extent of a patient s suffering pervade families' end-of-life experiences in the intensive care unit. Families' information about the patient is often lacking or inadequate. The best antidote for families' uncertainty is effective communication.