family visitation in icu
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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 :) :) :)