Family in or out during procedures???

[CyndieRN2007]

I was at work last night and I had a patient who needed some procedures done, (I had to drop a foley, start an IV and do an ekg) and her family was very demanding. I asked them to step out while I worked on her and that we were doing everything to make sure she got the best care, but they refused. Inside, I was furious, but since the patient (older woman who was a bit confused) did not object to adult sons being in the room while I was dropping the foley, I didnt push the issue... but I think I should have.

So Im asking, if you dont feel comfortable with the family in the room, do you make them step out or let them stay???

[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, EMT-P]

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]

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...