Family member in room at night

Published

What's your opinion of a family member staying in the patient's room overnight and during the day? Helpful or in the way?

When I had one of my knee surgeries years ago, my mom stayed in the room with me overnight. When I had to get up and go to the bathroom she helped me up and helped me go to the bathroom.

She also stayed in the room with my grandmother when she was in the hospital in poor health. We took shifts so there was just usually one of us in there with her. We helped her go to the bathroom and helped her wipe and such. Is this helpful or in the way? When I stayed I usually just sat and read or studied in the corner. She's also kind of wacko, and I think we were sort of a buffer between her and the staff. And she has a really bad German accent that a lot of people can't understand. We also wanted to be around when the doc came around. We never knew when the doctor would come by, so if we wanted to talk to him we had better be around.

Just wanted some opinions on the matter.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Med/Surg.

I always like when family stays, even if they dont help. I think that they know them way better than I can and can sometimes notice changes I may assume are a persons baseline (ie. confusion, slurring speech, etc.)

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in cardiothoracic surgery.

Depends on the family member. If they are kind, respectful, and considerate of the staff, then I don't have a problem with it. It is nice when they help with ADL's, but I don't expect them too. It is the family members that are rude, overbearing, hovering, demanding and disrepectful of the staff that I don't like staying. If the family members are causing more stress on the patient by being hovery, that is no good for the patient. I have seen patients hearts rates and blood pressure go down after these types of family members leave.

Sounds like you and your family are people I wouldn't mind having stay at the hospital. :)

Up Vote Up Vote ×

It doesn't bother me either way. There are positives and negatives. I have had family members that are very helpful. I think as long as they are informed of what is expected and what the risks of the patient are it can be ok. If a patient is a fall risk I make sure they allow me to help with any ambulating. My biggest complaint of family members over stepping their bounds are with diet restrictions. Just a few weeks ago I had a patient. Diabetic, on 2000 calorie ADA. I walk in the room to do vitals and he is eating a cheeseburger and fries from Sonic. I immediately got the nurse, who contacted the Dr. He came in and told them if they weren't going to do what was required to get well that he would discharge the patient and he could go home.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in M/S, MICU, CVICU, SICU, ER, Trauma, NICU.

I like family. As long as they know their limits, and I set the boundaries from the get-go.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Acute care, Community Med, SANE, ASC.

To the OP, I agree that you and your family sound like you would be helpful. Reasonable human beings who don't get in the way when I need to provide care to the patient are always welcome. Those who go beyond that and help out by keeping their family member calm, helping them to the bathroom if appropriate, getting water, etc. are even more welcome. I don't expect family members to do these things but sometimes it is wonderful and very much appreciated.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

My husband stayed with me when I had surgery 2 years ago and was hospitalized for about 3 days. I honestly don't know how I would've gotten through without him...I don't know what the nurses would've done without him either! I don't know if the hospital was understaffed at that time (it was just a couple of days before Christmas, so perhaps there were a lot of people off) or if it's always like that but I hardly saw a nurse other than when I requested pain medication. I saw nursing assistants each shift for vital signs only.

My husband helped me to the bathroom, tended to me when I was orthostatic and almost passed out on the floor, helped me shower on the day of discharge (prior to that, no one had even bothered ask if I wanted a towel to wash my face, brush my teeth, etc.), helped me walk in the hallway, etc.

Although I'm sure the nurses were watching over my lab test reports, reviewing my vital signs after done by the NA, etc., I really only saw one during a crisis or when I was in need of morphine. In fact, when my blood pressure was down to 60/34 my nurse told me that she had someone who was "much worse off" than I was who needed her attention!

Up Vote Up Vote ×

Depends on the reason the family member is there. If they are helpful, fine. If they are only there to cause problems, complain incessantly, or record information for their intended litigation, they are not only in the way, they are an impediment to providing care.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Critical Care & ENT.

Family can be very helpful. It's good to be able to teach them about whats going on and how to care for the patient when they get home. Some family members can be a thorn but others can be heaven sent. At my hospital we have visitation hours, which are flexible, but that helps to control the extra people being around.

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in Surgical, quality,management.

we usually let ONE person stay overnight if they are confused or a high falls risk or non english speaking IF the family want to stay but for anyone else sorry no. Our population is quite diverse so we have very large greek, italian, asian and irianan families where EVERYBODY is in all day and we can't get them to walk or settle during rest period cause there are so many visitors. On the other hand alot of our aussies have very little family if any they are interstate.

Our NUM is quite strict about it and I am fine with that because our night ratios are 1:7 so it is not so bad and on days it is 1:4 so we have the time to shower and walk out pts. We actually get called up on it if we are not mobilising and showering pts. Its a colorectal/hepatobillary ward so it is all about the deep breathing and coughing and mobilising. Mind you we give analgesia and aperients out like sweeties!

Up Vote Up Vote ×
Specializes in PICU, NICU, L&D, Public Health, Hospice.

I think family should stay...when possible...

of course there are good and bad actors, but, I think patients benefit from having someone with them.

Up Vote Up Vote ×

When my mom was in for some time, I was there a lot between work and school. She was "difficult" and I worried that the staff would label her a pita (she was) so I helped out as much as I could, said "sorry" a lot, and brought them baked goods.

:BDCk:

Up Vote Up Vote ×
+ Join the Discussion