[bfjworr]

Hi...I just found this site yesterday....it looks like a great way to get to know people and find out current opinions about nursing issues....

I am currently working in a busy community hospital in a 12 bed ICU....

We have visitation issues....our unit use to allow family in to see patients indiscriminately....then limited visitation fro 11 - 4 am and 8 - 10 pm. Family members are getting use to these hours but we still have many problems.....

Would like to get other opinions.....

Do you think their is a relationship between family presence in the ICU and positive outcomes fro confused and ventilated patients?

Do you think the length of stay is decreased because of family presence?

Are the incidents of injury reduced by family presence?

How often do you use restraints? Do you find you need restraints less when family are allowed more visitation?

Do you have open visitation?


Ths is a hot topic in our unit....many nurses think visitors interfere with patient care....others think they are helpful....but I believe each situation should be looked at individually - not all situations can be treated the same way.

Thanks for your opinions

[nesher]

Hi,
I think you will be able to find plenty of current research regarding family involvement in an ICU setting. Hopefully you have that type of access through your hospital, if not ask someone at your institution who does.
Our speciality 6 bed ICU is for our stem cell tranplant patients, and we allow 24 hour access to the patients for the families. It is important at that point that the family is allowed to be involved and allowed to help when needed. For example with bathing if they wish to. It helps give them a purpose, helps them structure their day and in many ways gives them something to look forward to. Our ICU rooms are different thatn most as they are larger than regualr rooms to allow extra space for the family and pullout beds etc. Our philosohy is that it takes all of us to help the patient, it doesn't matter if they are intubated or not.
Restraints are used at times when the family is not in the room or if the patient is simply too active for the family or nurse to watch. We ususally try just to use one wrist restraint if possible.