Nurse providing compassionate care to a patient and their family in a modern emergency room.

Emergency Room Revolution: How Nurses are Putting Patients and Families First

Beau Callahan in Health & Wellness December 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the power of patient- and family-centered care in Durban's emergency departments and how it's reshaping healthcare for the better."

Emergency rooms can be chaotic places, filled with stress and uncertainty for patients and their families. Imagine navigating a medical crisis while feeling lost, anxious, and disconnected. Fortunately, a growing movement is transforming this experience by placing patients and their families at the heart of care.

Patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) is a healthcare approach that recognizes the vital role families play in a patient's well-being. It's about creating partnerships between healthcare professionals, patients, and their loved ones, respecting their values, needs, and cultural backgrounds.

A recent study in Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa, sheds light on how emergency nurses are implementing PFCC in their daily practice. The findings reveal both the progress made and the challenges that remain in making emergency rooms more supportive and compassionate environments.

The Core of Compassionate Care: What is Patient- and Family-Centered Care?

Nurse providing compassionate care to a patient and their family in a modern emergency room.

PFCC isn't just a feel-good concept; it's a practical approach that improves the quality of care. By involving families in decision-making, providing clear communication, and addressing their emotional needs, healthcare providers can reduce stress, improve patient satisfaction, and even enhance health outcomes.

Here are some key elements of PFCC in the emergency department:

Respect and Dignity: Recognizing and valuing the unique experiences, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds of each patient and family.
Information Sharing: Communicating openly and honestly, providing timely updates, and answering questions in a clear and understandable way.
Participation: Encouraging patients and families to actively participate in care planning and decision-making, empowering them to take control of their health journey.
Collaboration: Fostering partnerships between healthcare professionals, patients, and families, working together as a team to achieve the best possible outcomes.

The Durban study, published in the South African Journal of Critical Care, explored how emergency nurses in four hospitals were putting these principles into practice. Researchers surveyed 44 nurses, assessing their attitudes, skills, and practices related to PFCC.

The Future of Emergency Care: A More Compassionate Approach

The Durban study offers valuable insights into the current state of PFCC in emergency departments. While challenges remain, the commitment of nurses to providing compassionate, family-centered care is clear. By embracing PFCC principles, emergency rooms can transform from places of fear and anxiety into supportive environments where patients and families feel valued, respected, and empowered.

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Everything You Need To Know

What is Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC), and how does it differ from traditional emergency room practices?

Patient- and family-centered care (PFCC) is a healthcare approach that places patients and their families at the heart of care. Unlike traditional emergency room practices, which may prioritize efficiency and immediate medical needs, PFCC emphasizes creating partnerships between healthcare professionals, patients, and their loved ones. It focuses on respecting their values, needs, and cultural backgrounds, involving families in decision-making, providing clear communication, and addressing their emotional needs. This contrasts with older models that often leave families feeling disconnected and anxious during medical crises.

How are emergency nurses in Durban implementing Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) in their daily practice?

Emergency nurses in Durban are implementing Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) by focusing on key elements such as respect and dignity, information sharing, participation, and collaboration. This involves recognizing and valuing each patient's unique experiences, beliefs, and cultural backgrounds. It also means communicating openly and honestly, providing timely updates, answering questions clearly, and encouraging patients and families to actively participate in care planning and decision-making. The study in the *South African Journal of Critical Care* observed these practices in four hospitals, providing insights into the practical application of PFCC.

What are the benefits of Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) in the emergency department?

Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) offers several benefits. By involving families in decision-making and addressing their emotional needs, healthcare providers can reduce stress, improve patient satisfaction, and enhance health outcomes. In the emergency department, this can transform stressful visits into more supportive experiences. Specifically, the approach leads to greater patient and family involvement, improving communication, and fostering a sense of partnership. The result is a more compassionate and effective healthcare environment.

What challenges do emergency nurses face when implementing Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC)?

The text mentions that the Durban study revealed both progress and challenges in making emergency rooms more supportive and compassionate environments, however does not specifically go into detail what these are. It is implied that there may be challenges when shifting from traditional practices to a patient and family centered approach. Specific challenges could include time constraints, staffing levels, and perhaps a lack of resources to fully implement PFCC. Resistance to change, or difficulty in shifting established protocols could also be a challenge. Further research would be needed to understand the specifics.

How does the Durban study contribute to the understanding of Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) in emergency departments?

The Durban study, published in the *South African Journal of Critical Care*, provides valuable insights into the current state of Patient- and Family-Centered Care (PFCC) in emergency departments. The study surveyed 44 nurses, assessing their attitudes, skills, and practices related to PFCC. While the study's findings reveal the progress made, they also highlight the remaining challenges in providing compassionate, family-centered care. By examining these factors, the study helps in understanding the practical application of PFCC and offers a roadmap for improving emergency care.