Acceptance of family member presence during pediatric resuscitations in the emergency department: Effects of personal experience

Objective: Opinions remain polarized on allowing family member presence dur ing pediatric resuscitations (FMP). Reluctance to adopt FMP may stem from p reconceived notions on this practice. This study evaluates the effect of pr ior experience with FMP and on its acceptance by emergency department perso nnel (EDP), Methods: EDP from three different EDs were surveyed concerning FMP. Study f acilities included an urban teaching community ED with routine FMP OR-ED), a suburban community ED with occasional FMP (O-ED) and an urban university pediatric ED with virtually no FMP (N-ED) during pediatric resuscitations, Survey information included hospital of practice, position in ED, years in practice, opinions on FMP and personal experience with FR;IP for five clini cal scenarios: laceration repair (LAC), intravenous access (IV), lumbar pun cture (LP), endotracheal intubation (ETI), cardiopulmonary resuscitation (C PR), and critical resuscitation (CR), Statistical analysis was through chi square and regression analysis. Results: Eighty-five emergency department personnel participated in the sur vey, 57 (67%) nurses, 22 (25%) physicians, 4 technicians (5%), and 2 nurses aids (2%). There was a significant correlation between a favorable opinion concerning family member presence during LP, ETI, CPR and CR and the type of Emergency Department in which the individual practiced (P < 0.002). Regr ession analysis demonstrated a similar relation between personal experience with LAG, IV, ETI, CR, and CPR and a favorable opinion on FMP during that activity (P < 0.03). Conclusion: Opinions on FMP are strongly influenced by experience with this practice. Emergency department personnel with prior exposure to family mem ber presence during resuscitations favor this activity. Biases by EDP lacki ng experience with FR IP may limit its introduction into unfamiliar institu tions.