Development of a structured family reception procedure in adult intensive care

Introduction: Family reception in adult intensive care units is a critical yet inconsistently structured practice, despite recommendations for family-centered care. Objective: To develop a structured procedure for family reception in adult intensive care and achieve expert consensus on its content. Methods: A two-phase methodological study was conducted. Phase 1 comprised a focus group with nine experienced intensive care professionals to explore current reception practices and key procedural components. Phase 2 used a two-round e-Delphi technique with ten expert critical care nurses to evaluate item relevance and clarity. Predefined consensus criteria were applied. Results: Focus group analysis identified four thematic areas that informed the draft procedure. e-Delphi consensus was achieved for 42 items, organized into three components: a pre-visit reception moment, a post-visit communication moment, and provision of standardized written information. Conclusion: This study produced a structured, expert-agreed family reception procedure for adult intensive care. Further studies should examine the feasibility, effectiveness, and family perspectives in clinical settings.