Closer Look at Visitation Hour Policies in Intensive Care Units
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Issue Date
2013-08-01Author
Banh, Micheal
Format
7 pages
Type
Article
Metadata
Show full item recordAbstract
Visitation policies on intensive care units establish the groundwork for balancing the needs of a critical patient and family members as well as the unit staff. The unit's specific policy on visitation hours sets the tone for interactions between all parties and can have a significant effect on patient outcomes, family satisfaction, and stress for nursing staff. A growing body of evidence points toward better outcomes for patients and families on units with more open visitation policies yet there are a number of hospitals, patient care units, and individual nurses that still support restricted visitation hours. While many intensive care units have legal backing to establish visitation policies, it becomes an ethical battle when balancing the needs and satisfaction of nursing staff, patients, and family. It is important to understand the rationale behind arguments on both sides to better address the issue, especially to understand why some units do not follow evidence-based practice guidelines that support open visitation policies. The purpose of this paper is to explore the relevant research regarding visitation policy on intensive care units to better understand the status quo and to clarify major rationales. This will be accomplished by a review of literature that will discuss the topic and a conclusion that provides nursing implications for practice in light of the research presented.
Description
Micheal Banh is from Wichita, Kansas. While attending the School of Nursing he received a clinical excellence award for his work in the pediatrics clinical and honorable mentions for his work in his obstetrics clinical. He is a graduate of the School of Nursing Honors Program. He plans on starting his nursing career in Denver Colorado. His future plans include returning to school for a Doctorate of Nursing Practice with long range plans to work in both an urban and a rural environment through the use of telenursing.
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- Volume 6, Issue 1 [11]
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