Visitation policies are very debatable in the current healthcare environment. There is a significant amount of evidence that demonstrates positive patient outcomes from the more “open visitation: approach. With that being said use some of the questions below to stimulate your thinking.
- Do you agree with open visitation in critical care (in the absence of infectious disease)?
- Do hospitals need to update their policy?
- Why are nurses hesitant to support this change? Is it generational? Organizational culture related?
- If your hospital implements strict visiting hours are comfort measures provided in the critical care waiting rooms for distraction and easy communication? (example: charging stations, soft lighting, computer station, age-appropriate toys, attendants, etc)
