Parental presence during resuscitation: attitudes of staff on a paediatric intensive care unit.

Although family presence during resuscitation is becoming more acceptable, many medical and nursing staff still have concerns and doubts about it. To ascertain paediatric medical and nursing staff's attitudes towards parents being present during resuscitation, 60 staff in a Paediatric Intensive Care Unit were surveyed. The results revealed that even though 89% of staff feel that parents should be able to be present, many have the same concerns and doubts that have been highlighted in previous, albeit adult-centred, studies. Increased stress to staff and parents were some of the concerns identified in a study which also showed interest in the subject and a need for further education.