Date of Award
Fall 2025
Project Type
Thesis
College or School
CHHS
Department
Nursing
Program or Major
DEMN
Degree Name
Master of Science
First Advisor
Deborah Simonton
Second Advisor
Pamela Kallmerten
Abstract
BACKGROUND: The Intensive Care Unit (ICU) is often a source of psychological, physical, social, financial, and spiritual distress for families of patients. Multidisciplinary support resources are available but are often underutilized. Nurses are uniquely positioned to assess needs and integrate resources into care. Therefore, enhancing nurses' ability to guide families to appropriate support resources may alleviate distress and promote holistic well-being for patients and their families.
METHODS: The Plan-Do-Study-Act (PDSA) model was used to guide this project. A pre-intervention survey assessed awareness, utilization, and perception of ownership. Following dissemination of the intervention, a post-survey evaluated improvements in knowledge and integration.
INTERVENTION: A reference of available resources grouped according to support category was created and posted at nurse stations in a 20-bed adult ICU in Northern New England. Attention was brought to the intervention during multiple shifts.
RESULTS: Pre-intervention (n=13), nurses reported using an average of three resources monthly, often social work and clergy. Post-intervention (n=3), two out of three participants reported learning about new resources and plans to incorporate them into nursing practice. Night shift and weekend resource availability were identified as barriers. The specific aim was not conclusively achieved due to limited data, although qualitative feedback suggests an overall positive influence on the microsystem.
CONCLUSION: This low-cost, accessible intervention was well-received and elicited conversations on the importance of holistic support for families of ICU patients. Barriers such as staffing shortage, high census, and resource availability likely influenced participation.
Recommended Citation
Siel, Emily, "A Quality Improvement Project Reinforcing Nursing Education on Support Resources for Families in the ICU" (2025). Master's Theses and Capstones. 1952.
https://scholars.unh.edu/thesis/1952