Interfacility transport of patients admitted to the ICU: perceived needs of family members

INTRODUCTION: Limited research has been published regarding the needs of immediate family members with respect to the transport of critically ill loved ones. Furthermore, very little information exists on transport teams members' perception of the needs of the family members. METHODS: During a 9-month period, a 25-item questionnaire was given to family members of adult patients who were transported by air or ground. All patients were admitted into an adult intensive care unit at a major university teaching hospital. Family members were asked to rank the relative importance of each item with regard to informational or situational needs. The identical questionnaire was given to the critical care transport teams employed by the hospital. The team members were asked to indicate what they thought the family members ranked as important. RESULTS: Forty-two of 100 family members (42%) returned the questionnaire by mail. All 13 (100%) critical care transport team members completed surveys as well. Statistical comparisons indicated that family members and team members differed significantly on 13 of 25 items. Team members generally underestimated the importance of these items to family members. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that, in this sample, transporting crew members often misperceived family members informational and situational needs.