Doors to patient rooms: open or closed?

[ktliz]

This might seem like a silly question, but I was just wondering whether it is the norm on your unit to leave the doors to patients' rooms open or closed?

All my hospital experiences have been with 2 facilities. At the hospital where I volunteered, all rooms are private, and most patients kept their door fully closed. At my local hospital, most rooms are shared, and doors seem to be left open.

Do you have a specific policy on your unit for whether doors are to be left open or closed? Do you leave it up to the patient? Or do you keep doors open as a convenience or safety measure?

-Katee, pre-nursing student

[Lennonninja, MSN, APRN, NP]

I'm just a tech, but I always ask what the patient prefers, especially since I work nights. Most patients don't have a preference, so I leave the doors halfway unless they request one or the other.

[Ruby Vee, BSN]

open. i don't think i've ever worked anywhere the doors were kept closed, and where i work now they won't close all the way.

[RNDreamer]

I don't know what the policy is, but most patients leave their doors open. As I am leaving a private room, I may ask if the patient prefers the door closed or open. If they say closed, I do let them know that I will pop my head in frequently to make sure they are OK.

[Not_A_Hat_Person, RN]

I ask the patient if they want the door open or closed. I've only been in one facility where nurses weren't allowed to close the doors; my peds rotation, a home for children with brain injuries.

[mmm cdiff]

If the door was open when I came in, I leave it open when I leave. If the door was closed when I came in, I close it when I leave.

[Jenn329]

I work in an open bed unit. No doors to worry about. :)

[canoehead, BSN, RN]

Ask the patient what they want. If they are too sick to have a preference the door should be open.

[Mas Catoer]

Our tropical climate leave us with choices. Wards with 4-8 bed capacity have the door fully opened to ensure mobility unless it's too windy. Most private rooms with AC mostly have the door fully closed. And, we use to knock the door prior to entering the room. Other hospitals with central AC have their door mostly halfway opened.

[Crux1024]

I leave it to patient preference.

[Flo., BSN, RN]

If I am worried about the pt then I leave it open. If not I ask how the pt wants the door.

[mom4josh]

All of our rooms are private. Since I work 7p-7a, I usually leave the door closed just before latching. This way, when I make rounds, I don't wake anyone when opening the door. However, if the patient is confused, elderly, or a high fall risk, the door stays open, at least half-way. BTW, this is just my own personal policy. Our hospital doesn't have a policy on this subject.