[Pat_Pat RN]

We try to keep it to one, except children, we'll let both parents in then. Serious stuff and codes we keep the family out! But we try to have one staff member talk to one family member who can relay to the rest of the family what is happening. (Otherwise you tell the same story 15 times to 15 different people)
Pat

[West_Coast_Ken]

I don't know what it is at the hospital I am doing clinicals at, but either there isn't one or it isn't enforced. A few weeks ago we counted 8 people in one tiny room not counting the pt. It was actually getting noticeably warm in there from the bodies.

This lady was clearly loved, but come on folks! Turns out her pacemaker was tweaked recently and the durn thing fired several times and the whole world thought she was going to die. I guess they wanted to watch her die, too. (She didn't and was just fine.)

[medrn99]

The ED where I work has the 2 visitors for a minor, 1 per adult rule.

I feel that there should be no visitors until the Dr. sees the pt. (adults
that are able to communicate).
The young people who are accompanied by their parent(s), Are NOT going to be honest about certain things. Sexual, drug usage etc.in front of their parent. That also goes for spouses/ significant others. Or family members, & friends. There are certain things that people will not admit to in front of
the same.
Women now think that pelvics are spectator sport, and invite the gang.
A lot of it is plain nosiness from the family/friend.
In some cases they can be helpful.Tho usually the one that insists
on going in with the pt, is the one who knows the least about the pt.
I don't believe in "trading out" (not including certain situations).
VISITING, should be done when the pt is admitted. NOT the ED.
It seems ED's have become a place for social gatherings, and family reunions.
So-called visitors to a room, want to stand in the hall & watch.
Or walk around talking on their cell phones.
10 people for a kid with a cold.Visitors taking up seats that should be for the pt's standing.
ED is supposed to stand for EMERGENCY, NOT "EVERYBODY" DEPT.
But since I'm a lowly RN,and others like me, without input into policy making.
You can only seek employment elsewhere if it gets that bad where you work.

[majadu]

Dorito, There are a number of articles that reflect this information. I was on staff in Michigan when the first documented family visitor was allowed in the resuscitation room. He was a State Trooper that was shot while making a routine traffic stop. We all knew him and many of us had met his wife. We had the pastor in the room and allowed her in during the resuscitation attempt. It was hard on the staff, however, it was very healing for her and she followed him to the OR, with the hospital chaplin at her side while she waited. He died, There is an article regarding that experience that was published in the New Yorker, 4/3/2006, Vol. 82 Issue 7, p 34-39. Also check out this article: Family Presence During Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Invasive Procedures: Practices of Critical Care and Emergency Nurses. It was published in the American Journal of Critical Care, May 2003, Volume 12 No3

[Bridget O'Malley]

medrn, you took the words right out of my mouth. Also, the nineteen year old with the UTI analogy hit home for me.

Where I work, because of Press Ganey, we are encourage to let as many visitors back as the patients want. Of course, many visitors just assume the patient is comfortable with them watching everything and insist on going back with the patient when I believe the patient is too timid or sick to speak up for him/herself. The doctors hate having more than one visitor per room, but I get divided opinions from the the nurses I work with over what is acceptable.

Personally, I refuse to answer questions about lab values or XRay results to visitors in the room unless I ask the patient, "Is it okay if I answer this question?" first. Also, it's a bit unnerving to be poking for a vein in someone arm only to literally feel someone's breath on the back of your neck as they look with you. I also feel ridiculous bending over a patient and practically sticking my backside in someone's direct line of vision. Hope they enjoy the view.

[Bridget O'Malley]

Maybe I just had a bad day today, but I think that if you leave your exam room for any reason other than to potty or go for testing, you should have to be re-triaged



Jen, I agree with this wholeheartedly.

[medrn99]

You mean the "vascular experts" who tell you that, "her veins roll", or " they never put an IV there before". "Why does she need an IV"? On & On & On!! LOL- (not really).

[ChristyLS]

I work in a rural hospital and when a pt enters the ER, they are directly in the middle of it. We don't have a triage desk and end up putting people in our rooms as they arrive. Families/friends of our pt's tend to think that this is an outing. They always bring as many people as they can, and then think that they ALL need to be in the room with the pt. It is very hard to manouver around the crowds and no one ever lets the pt speak. I love the idea of the stickers and locked doors. Whatever happened to the day when children under 12 et visitors coming/going at all hours of the night were not allowed? This is ridiculous!

[EmerNurse]

I love the one where the guy brings his wife in for a UTI (or a preg test) and they bring their 3 other kids, under 5yo with them, and then get mad when they a) can't bring the kids back so papa can sit with mama or b) can't leave the kids in the WR alone with the 5yo in charge. Give me a break!

[tridil2000]

Originally Posted by Bridget O'Malley

Maybe I just had a bad day today, but I think that if you leave your exam room for any reason other than to potty or go for testing, you should have to be re-triaged



Jen, I agree with this wholeheartedly.

guess what! we do this! if you leave to smoke you've officially eloped!

2 visitors only here, more if the situation is critical.

i think 'no visitors until the dr sees the pt' is ridiculous though. if my hubby couldn't have been with me, i would have been very upset. i think that is selfish on the dr's part. i bet s/he wouldn't let his spouse sit alone on a stretcher!!