Family needs of patients having coronary artery bypass graft surgery during the intraoperative period.

The purpose of this study was to describe the needs of the spouses and relatives of patients having coronary artery bypass graft surgery during the intraoperative period. Data were collected in a 434-bed Midwestern hospital from a convenience sample of 23 spouses and 45 adult relatives of 30 patients having their first coronary artery bypass graft operation. Using the Critical Care Family Needs Inventory, subjects were asked to rate the importance of 45 needs. On the basis of item means, the 21 highest-ranked needs were rated as very important or important by both spouses and relatives. Of these top 21 needs, 14 concerned the need for obtaining information. The highest-ranking need for both groups was to have questions answered honestly. Eight needs were identified as significantly more important to spouses than to relatives. Nurses were viewed as the most helpful group in meeting the family's needs.