Explaining the Experiences of Family Members of Patients with Brain Death Regarding the Cause of Brain Death Chain: A Qualitative Study

Authors
mohammad abdi 1
Fariba Sharafi 2
Lida Sasani 3
Ahmad Jalilvand 4
Heidar ali Abedi 5
mehran Tahrekhani 6
1 Department of Emergency and Critical Care, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
2 Department of Nursing Education, Abhar School of Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran.
3 Faculty member and member of the Community Health Research Center, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
4 Department of Pathology, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
5 Department of Nursing and Midwifery, Isfahan (Khorasgan) Branch, Islamic Azad University, Isfahan, Iran
6 Department of Nursing Education, Abhar School of Nursing, Zanjan University of Medical Sciences, Zanjan, Iran
Abstract
Introduction

Several factors are involved in causing the brain death chain. Understanding these factors can help us understand the cause of this chain and prevent it From the perspective of the patients’ families with brain death. Therefore, this study aims to explain the family members' experiences of patients with brain death regarding the cause of brain death chain as a qualitative study.

Materials and Methods

This qualitative research was conducted as a content analysis. Fourteen first-degree family members of patients with brain death were interviewed using in-depth semi-structured interviews to the point of data saturation. Purposive sampling was conducted on the families of patients with brain death admitted to the intensive care unit of Ayatollah Mousavi Hospital in Zanjan. The conventional content analysis method was used to analyze the data.

Results

In data analysis, the main theme is “brain death chain" and " brain death due to head trauma", "poor pre-hospital measures", "heavy bleeding in an accident", "patient to blame in the accidents "and "brain death due to family disputes" were sub-themes.

Conclusion

Identifying the main causes of brain death chain is very important from the perspective of patients' families. Because it can create a good mental background for medical staff, especially nurses when coping with such a situation. Understanding the condition of the patient and their families and identifying the factors causing the brain death chain by the health care staff can lead to quick and appropriate care to reduce the damage.
Keywords
Family
qualitative study
brain death
brain death chain
content analysis
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Journal of Netshabur University of Medical Sciences
Volume 8, Issue 3 - Serial Number 28
Autumn 2020
Pages 118-128