The primary goal of these guidelines is to identify best practices for family-centered care in the ICU based on existing evidence. These guidelines were developed using a rigorous, objective, and transparent assessment of the relevant published evidence with use of the GRADE methodology. After a systematic review of the literature, the recommendations were developed by taking into consideration not only the quality of the evidence but also important clinical outcomes and the values and preferences of diverse ICU stakeholders, including patients and family members. The recommendations provide a summary of best practices as identified by the existing evidence to form internal hospital policies related to supporting families in the ICU. Communication, clinician and family training, family presence, involvement and engagement, provision of consultative resources and environmental and organizational processes are all elements to consider when building an optimal program of family-centered care in the ICU.

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