Caring for the Invisible and Forgotten: A Qualitative Document Analysis and Experience-based Co-Design Project to Improve the Care of Families Experiencing Out of Hospital Cardiac Arrest
AbstractIntroduction The sudden death of a close family member or loved one is one of the most traumatic and impactful human experiences. The interactions families have in during their family member’s cardiac arrest and resuscitation can have long lasting effects on their health and employment status. Objectives The objectives of this project were to collect and analyze clinical governance documents related to family centred care and cardiac arrest care in Canadian EMS organizations; and to improve the family centredness of out of hospital cardiac arrest care through experience-based co-design. Methods We conducted qualitative document analysis of Canadian EMS clinical governance documents related to family centred and cardiac arrest care, combining elements of content and thematic analysis methods. We then used experience-based co-design to develop a family centred out of hospital cardiac arrest care policy and procedure template. Results Thirty-five Canadian EMS organizations responded to our requests, representing service area coverage for 80% of the Canadian population. Twenty documents were obtained for review and six overarching themes were identified: addressing family in event of in-home death, importance of family, family member escort, provider discretion and family presence discouraged. Informed by our qualitative analysis we then co-designed a policy and procedure template was created that prioritizes patient care while promotes family centredness. Conclusions There were few directives to support family centred care by Canadian EMS organizations. A family centred out of hospital cardiac arrest care policy and procedure template was developed using experience-based co-design to assist EMS organizations improve the family centredness of out of hospital cardiac arrest care. Words:211 Keywords: cardiac arrest; family-centred care; emergency medical services; qualitative |
About the author:
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| Matt is an emergency and critical care nurse who began his career in prehospital care in the early 2000’s. His current work is focused on experience-based co-design methods to improve cardiac arrest care. He holds an Adjunct Associate Professor of Critical Care Medicine position at the University of Alberta, as well as being a doctoral candidate at the University College Dublin and he serves as the Editor-in-Chief of the Canadian Journal of Emergency Nursing. When not toiling away at a keyboard he is chasing his 3 kids Charlie, Sammy and Eloise on skis, bikes or hiking boots. |
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