Family-centred care in the paediatric intensive care unit.

AIM The aim was to assess emotional support given to mothers of children in intensive care units (ICUs) and make recommendations to nurse managers regarding family-centred nursing care in paediatric ICUs in South Africa. BACKGROUND Family-centred care is an essential component of paediatric care. Nurse managers should enhance implementation and sustainability to ensure quality care. METHODS A quantitative descriptive research design was used. Structured interviews using questionnaires were conducted with 62 mothers whose children were nursed in ICUs in Bloemfontein. FINDINGS Fifteen stressors for mothers were identified and emotional support for mothers in ICU's was assessed and described. Analysis indicated that COPE (Creating Opportunities for Parent Empowerment) can be used within the South African context to enhance family-centred paediatric nursing care. CONCLUSION Competencies of nurse practitioners and other staff involved must be improved and the seriousness and importance of emotional support as part of family-centred care should be emphasized. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT Nurse managers should take responsibility for the training of staff in implementing COPE as a possible empowerment programme in Paediatric ICUs to ensure that emotional support is not neglected.