A cross-sectional study assessing family satisfaction in the intensive care environment in Bahrain: opportunities for improvement [version 1; peer review: 1 approved with reservations]

Background : Assessment of patients' family experience and levels of satisfaction have become a measure of intensive care. The aim of this study was to assess the needs of patient's family members in an Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and to identify areas for improvement in quality care. Methods: A prospective, cross-sectional, a questionnaire survey study was carried out with 100 randomly selected family members of 77 critically ill patients cared for in surgical and medical ICUs. The family satisfaction (FS-ICU-24) questionnaire was given to family members, and the responses were used to assess their experience of ICU care. Results: The responses of patients' relatives exposed an overall level of satisfaction of 5.04 ± 1.104 on a scale of 1-6. Satisfaction with care was scored higher than satisfaction with decision-making. Family members reported low satisfaction with communication with physicians, the ICU atmosphere, and the waiting room atmosphere. Factors such as the completeness of the information received by relatives (p=0.007) and the ease of obtaining information (p=0.007) demonstrated a significant association with family satisfaction. Suggestions received from families with the high frequency where they need lengthier visiting hours, regular updates on medical reports, better care, and communication with ICU staff. Conclusions: Although overall family satisfaction was high, some areas emerged for improvement. The family members want to increase the length of visiting hours, frequency of patient status updates, communication with physicians, involvement in decision-making, and presence during medical visits. Considering the opportunity to improve ICU care, we propose periodic assessments of family satisfaction with ICU experiences.