The importance of actively engaging with close family members during and after in-hospital cardiopulmonary resuscitation in adult patients

A lifesaving emergency procedure performed when the heart stops beating, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is a critical step in the chain of survival.During the past 30-40 years, a paradigm shift from the non-presence of family members to family presence during resuscitation (FPDR) during adult in-hospital CPR has occurred.Previously, a more paternalistic approach was practiced in which the adult patient's family was not allowed to be present during lifesaving procedures in the hospital.Luckily, the importance of patient-and family-centred care has been more solidly established, with the principle of personal autonomy now a priority and a growing practice in acute medical and intensive care settings. 1Most recently, the European Resuscitation Council (ERC) guidelines accentuate that family presence during CPR is recommended in situations when it is safe and the family can be adequately supported. 1Additionally, the ERC emphasizes the need for appropriate education so that healthcare professionals in hospital interventions feel comfortable with FPDR.However, as the current quality of evidence is low, healthcare professionals are still debating the merits of family attendance during adult in-hospital resuscitation, which is why consensus has yet to be reached in clinical practice. 2Numerous studies nonetheless point out that comprehensive local guidelines on introducing FPDR are necessary and that discussing attitudes towards family presence during adult resuscitation is never appropriate during an acute event.