Abstract
Extensive research has been conducted over the years with a general focus on the family members of adult patients in the critical care setting. The resulting recognition of the profound impact that the family has on the patients' outcomes has led to greater focus on the direct assessment and identification of perceived met and unmet needs of family members. In contrast to the adult patients needs, this descriptive, exploratory pilot study consisted of 20 family members who had pediatric patients in the pediatric intensive care unit. Families completed a 2-part instrument: the Demographic Data Questionnaire and the Needs Met Inventory. Data were analyzed and reported the top 10 always met/usually met needs and the top 10 never met/sometimes met needs in order of importance during the first 24 to 36 hours after admission of the pediatric patient. The overall items under the subscale assurance ranked the highest as perceived needs always met/usually met. The overall items under the subscale support ranked the lowest as perceived needs never met/sometimes met.