Innovative solutions: family presence at codes: a protocol for an oncology unit.

Family presence at codes is a concept that often elicits differing opinions from healthcare workers with regard to implementation, evaluation, and efficacy of the process. The oncology nursing service at Banner Good Samaritan Medical Center created a protocol to operationalize the guidelines of family presence at codes. The protocol was based on the Emergency Nurses Association guidelines from 2001 and modified to complement the current practice environment and culture of the units. Evaluation surveys were created for both the family members present and staff involved in the process.