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.
1. Do you agree with open visitation in critical care (in the absence of infectious disease)?
2. Do hospitals need to update their policy?
3. Why are nurses hesitant to support this change? Is it generational? Organizational culture related?
4. 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)
