ACCCN and ACIPC Position Statement on Facilitating Next-of-Kin Presence for Patients Dying from COVID-19 in the ICU

Bloomer, Melissa J.; Bouchoucha, Stéphane

The COVID-19 pandemic is challenging health care systems worldwide; none more so than critical and intensive care settings. Significant attention has been placed on the capacity of Australian ICUs to respond to a COVID-19 surge, particularly in relation to beds, ventilators, staffing, personal protective equipment and unparalleled increase in deaths in ICUs associated with COVID-19 seen internationally. While death is not uncommon in critical care, the international experience demonstrates that restrictions to family presence at the end of life result in significant distress for families and clinicians. As a result, the Australian College of Critical Care Nurses and the Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control supported the development of a position statement to provide critical care nurses with specific guidance and recommendations for practice for this emerging priority area. Where possible, position statements are founded on high-quality evidence. However, the short time period since the first recognition of a cluster of pneumonia-like cases in China in January, 2020 meant that an integrative approach was required to expedite timely development of this position statement in preparation for a COVID-19 surge in Australia. This position statement is intended to provide practical guidance to critical care nurses in facilitating next-of-kin presence for patients dying from COVID-19 in the ICU.