Original ArticleAssessment of satisfaction with care and decision-making among English and Spanish-speaking family members of neuroscience ICU patients

BackgroundPatients' and family members' experiences of hospital care are important indicators of quality. “Black, Asian, and Hispanic patients are more at risk than White patients for decreased satisfaction with care." In addition, of any of these groups, Hispanic patients were most likely to report a lack of patient-centered care. In the intensive care setting, (ICU) previous research has indicated that the needs and satisfaction of family members of neurological ICU patients are different from those of family members of other types of ICU patients.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to determine if there were any differences between English-speaking and Spanish-speaking family members of patients in a neurological ICU.MethodsThis study was a single center prospective study conducted over a 10-month period from April 2013 to February 2014 in the 18-bed neuroscience ICU of a large, urban, academic medical center. The Family Satisfaction with ICU (FS-ICU) questionnaire was used; it provides an overall score and has two factors: satisfaction with care and satisfaction with decision-making.ResultsThere was no statistical significance between the two groups in overall satisfaction or in satisfaction with care, however Spanish-speakers (n = 22) were significantly less satisfied (p = .04) than English-speakers (n = 50) with decision-making. There were three other discreet variables in which Spanish-speakers were also less satisfied: (a) management of patients' pain (OR 3.16, 95% CI [1.12, 8.9]) (b) management of patients' breathlessness (OR 3.5, 95% CI [1.23, 9.96]) as well as (c) ease of getting information (OR 3.25, 95% CI [1.09, 9.64]).ConclusionUsing a standardized survey it was found that Spanish-speakers were statistically less satisfied with decision-making than English-speakers. Additionally, Spanish-speakers were statistically less satisfied with management of patients' pain and breathlessness and ease of getting information. Based on these findings, increased vigilance is recommended regarding decision-making processes of Hispanic-families, especially with regard to provision of information.