The Critical Care Family Needs Inventory (CCFNI) has been a valuable instrument in understanding the needs of families within intensive care units for the past two decades. However, its direct application in the Emergency Department (ED) setting presents considerable challenges. This article explores the methodological obstacles encountered when modifying and tailoring the CCFNI for effective use with families of critically ill patients in the ED environment.
This initiative was driven by the primary goal of refining and adapting the CCFNI specifically for families facing critical illness within an Australian Emergency Department. The adaptation process was comprehensive, involving a detailed critique of the original CCFNI, clarifying core concepts, reviewing individual items, restructuring content and scales, and rigorous testing with the intended user group.
Data collection strategies were carefully designed to engage a vulnerable population while maximizing response rates and ensuring high data quality. A study was conducted involving 84 family members of critically ill patients in a Melbourne Emergency Department, achieving a robust 73% questionnaire return rate.
The pilot study data were meticulously analyzed to pinpoint areas of the tool requiring further adjustment or improvement. The methods employed to confirm the reliability and validity of the revised tool yielded satisfactory outcomes, indicating a successful adaptation.
Despite these positive results, the study acknowledges limitations, including a sample size that was not ideal for exploratory factor analysis and some incomplete response sets that impacted item analysis.
In conclusion, the systematic approach taken to address the methodological complexities of adapting the CCFNI for the Emergency Department provides a robust framework. This framework is valuable for anyone seeking to adapt established tools for specific and nuanced applications, ensuring their continued relevance and effectiveness in diverse healthcare settings.
