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

There are a number of factors that 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 memberschr('39') experiences of patients with brain death regarding the cause of   brain death chain as a qualitative study.

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. Conventional content analysis method was used to analyze the data.

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

Identifying the main causes of brain death chain is very important from the perspective of patientschr('39') families. Because it can create a good mental background for medical staff, especially nurses when cope with such 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.