Safety in the ED: Guidance on patients' families and carers presence in Emergency Departments

Background Hospital policy on the numbers of visitors and the times they may visit a patient in the Emergency Department (ED) varies nationally. Concern regarding the impact of this on patients, families and the ED staff who... [ view full abstract ]

Background
Hospital policy on the numbers of visitors and the times they may visit a patient in the Emergency Department (ED) varies nationally. Concern regarding the impact of this on patients, families and the ED staff who care for them was raised by patient representatives through the HSE Patient Advocacy Unit. To address this concern the Emergency Nursing Interest Group devised national guidelines to inform best practice on the presence of patients’ families and carers in the ED.
Aim and objectives
The aim of this project was to promote safe care in the ED department through the provision of national guidelines on visiting and the presence of family members/carers in the department.
Description of innovation
In developing the guidelines key stakeholders including ED staff and patient advocacy groups were consulted and international literature reviewed. The guidelines detail the rights of patients from their arrival in the ED, how families and friends can help, general guidance on visiting, when they may be asked to leave and how to communicate with staff in the ED. A template was devised to provide information for patients, their families and carers. Guidance was also developed in relation to staff training.
These guidelines were implemented nationally.

Impact of innovation*
National guidelines on family and carer presence in the ED has resulted in the standardisation of practice in relation to families, carers and friends visiting patients in the ED regardless of when and where in the country they present for treatment. It has also provided nurses with guidance on best practice on visiting for the provision of safe patient care in EDs nationally.

Conclusions and implications
These guidelines which have been implemented nationally have been found to improve patient safety and facilitate the delivery of quality patient care in ED.