How many visitors in the ED?

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I am looking for visitor policies or guidelines that are used in your emergency departments. We are currently being asked to relook at our visitation guidelines. Over the years we have gone trough many different phases from one only to open door. We want to do the best thing for the patients/families while keeping staff members safe. How are you all handling visitors for adults as well as for children?

The first time I read a thread about visitors in the Emergency Department, this was my reaction: :eek: When I was in the ED for a bad GI bleed, the first thing they did was to uncover me. The last thing they did was to cover me back up before transferring me to the ICU. I do not want visitors to see me naked, with dried blood and fecal matter on my body.

My parents got to see me after I was cleaned and dressed in the ICU. And even though many of my healthcare team saw me naked, I always had privacy when I needed to urinate and defecate. There is a time and a place for visitors, but it is not the ED, if I am the patient.

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Specializes in ER/EHR Trainer.

We have a policy of 2 visitors per patient. Many patients show up with the whole family. Personally, I have no problem with the group as long as they are not intrusive, don't get in my way, and are supportive to the patient. HOWEVER, I have no problem clearing the room and not allowing anyone in!

My primary goal is the patient's well-being. The families are given the rules, either they follow them or they are out! I know it sounds harsh, but anyone looking in rooms, being loud, eating and making a mess, being disruptive, or problematic has to go! Even in triage, as I see the group stand-I make it very clear patient only unless they want 1 person with them. Just don't have the room.

Maisy

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Two at a time..But most of the time lil boochie and all his homeboys and girls will crowd out a room...I am not a nurse yet, but I have seen it done...

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Specializes in ER, ICU.
Ours is as many as want to come in - no limit - customer satisfaction is our motto. :saint:

Let me put this out there...I don't want to start anything ..... but ......:uhoh3:

has anyone else noticed that the problem with overcrowding is much worse with a lower socioeconomic population. Along with that (in general) there tends to be a lower education level - and when these two are combined translates into an over crowding issue in the ER :twocents:

noted

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