[Dianne6]

I let the patient decide if they are able....

[ERTRAVELER]

I work emergency and during a critical situation my first and foremost concern is the patient. I ask family to step out until we can get their loved one stable and then I bring them in one at a time. It is difficulty to get around family when trying to stabilize a critical patient. If I know the patient is not going to make it I make sure the family is at bedside.

My decision is based on an individual basis. You need to use you best judgement.

[Nurseboy1]

Generally when we receive an admission or transfer from the floor we send the family out until we stabilize the patient.

If the patient has been in the unit it depends, if I'm starting an IV or something that is not incredibly invasive I go with the patient/family comfort. However, for a foley or NG I would ask the family to step out.

[mariedoreen]

I'm a new grad RN still working on figuring this one out... I oriented with one RN who was great about having family leave for anything that would expose the patient. She was tactful, yet firm. Another RN I oriented with had an anything goes attitude... I'm not saying I thought one was right over the other; however, I have to say that there was nothing like putting in a foley on an elderly lady (who was used to receiving caths, even at home) and having her son stand at the end of the bed and TALK ME THROUGH the procedure (it was my 5th time or so) as he had done it for her multiple times at home. The RN orienting me was also present and didn't seem to have any problem with the entire situation. I however, was a entirely creeped out.

[Nurseboy1]

I'm sorry I just don't understand these son's that will not leave when their mother is being cathed. I've cathed dozens of women so far in my career, however you will NEVER find me anywhere in the room if my mother is being cathed.

It's just a little disturbing that they would want to remain in the room.

[vamedic4]

Working in peds we generally keep the family members in the room to ease the child's discomfort to whatever extent we can...allowing mom or dad to hold a child who's getting an IV can be incredibly helpful...but the opposite is also true. Kids who see their parents in the room don't understand that this procedure HAS TO be done, no matter what...it's sad when they look up at mom/dad with little puppy dog eyes as if to say "why are you letting them do this to me!?!?

Unless the adults are beligerent...then they're out. And out they'll stay.

vamedic4

[emllpn2006]

I believe it depends on the situation and there is no clear cut answer to this question. If the mother is elderly and her son is her care taker at home I dont see anything wrong with him being in the room for a foley insertion. Especially in the case above if he does it at home all the time. I would not feel comfortable with him standing at the end of the bed starring at moms genitals though. I would encorage him to stand at the head of the bed and use a drape. I personnaly have had my "mommy" present when getting a foley insertion. She was at the top of the bed. I was 18 years old and very scarred it was the first time I had ever been to a ER in my life. If anyone would have told her she had to leave I probably would have left myself.

[analee23]

I am a peds er nurse, so family is generally there. However, with LPs, Sedations to reduce fractures, and SOME suturing, I have the family step out. Although, I have had family present in all of these cases as well (well, usually not the sedations, but just yesterday had a mom stay during the sedation and she did great!). Family can be wonderful or horrible depending on how they are reacting to the situation. I've had them help me hold down a 16 y.o. mentally disabled boy to put in staples. But, they can also be horrendous and difficult to get around to do procedures (pulling my hand away as I'm getting ready to start an IV.). Just gotta learn how to read them!

The comment "this needs to be a sterile procedure" often works, especially with LPs on small infants. And if it's an older child (teens) I always ask the child if they want family there or not. They usually do want them present for IV starts and blood draws. But not foleys or NGs.

Best of luck.

-Analee

[mariedoreen]

Originally Posted by emllpn2006

I believe it depends on the situation and there is no clear cut answer to this question. If the mother is elderly and her son is her care taker at home I dont see anything wrong with him being in the room for a foley insertion. Especially in the case above if he does it at home all the time. I would not feel comfortable with him standing at the end of the bed starring at moms genitals though. I would encorage him to stand at the head of the bed and use a drape. I personnaly have had my "mommy" present when getting a foley insertion. She was at the top of the bed. I was 18 years old and very scarred it was the first time I had ever been to a ER in my life. If anyone would have told her she had to leave I probably would have left myself.

Great points about pt support and I agree with you. I also would not have had a problem with him being present but "out of the line of sight" so to speak. But having him stand at the end of the bed with a full on view and give me verbal instructions on how to cath his mother??? And yes, I was already doing fine on my own... I dunno. I guess it's a cultural thing and crosses my own personal line of comfort. He did have the mom's complete approval, I was the only one really not liking the situation...