Help! How many visitors in the patient room?!!

Christie RN2006 · Mar 24, 2009

In the ICUs where I work, our policy is only 2 visitors at a time. On step-down it is only supposed to be 2-3, but sometimes we bend the rules a little if they are being cooperative. We will not put more than 2-3 chairs in a room at a time. We try not to let visitors spend the night in the room, but we do allow 1 person to stay in the room as long as they are allowing the pt to sleep and not getting in our way. We do not allow cots in the rooms. On med-surg, they are more relaxed and allow cots, etc.

The only time we allow lots of visitors is if the pt has been made a DNRCC and they are about to die. At that point we will do everything we can to find seats, make them comfortable, allow them to stay as long as they like, etc.

smurfy · Mar 24, 2009

Unfortunatly, we allow as many as can squeeze in and yes we must scurry to find chairs for all of them. I wish hospitals would have set visiting times and set limits on the number of people allowed in the room. pt care would be easier, because time would not be wasted getting things for overnight visitors and care can be completly focused on the pt and thewir needs.

noahsmama · Mar 24, 2009

I work in a pediatric hospital. Parents are allowed to visit any time of day or night, and we provide a chair that converts into a cot for one parent to sleep over. Both parents can be there, but only one can sleep -- they can switch off if they want to, but only one in the cot at a time. Most families opt for one parent to go home. We also have a parent lounge with a few sleep chairs, and can accomodate a few extra parents there -- they need to ask for a pass, which in theory are given out based on need (e.g. a family that lives far away and can't afford a hotel), but as a practical matter they're given out mostly on a first come first served.

In addition to parents, there can be two more visitors between the hours of 8am to 8pm.

We sometimes bend the rules a bit. For example, I won't kick out visitors till more like 10pm, unless they're being noisy or bothering the other occupant of the room (most of our rooms are doubles). Security makes rounds at about 10:30pm and night shift comes on at 11pm, so I make sure they're out before then.

Batman24 · Mar 24, 2009

We put two chairs in the room. We don't allow cots but sometimes someone will sleep over in a chair. If the visitors are disruptive especially late evening we do ask them to leave letting them know the patient needs rest and sleep so they can heal. The patients are always so grateful for that. They are in pain and tired but feel bad kicking people out.

NeosynephRN · Mar 24, 2009

Two at a time, unless the patient is actively dying or a situation similar. No one allowed to stay overnight, except in above situation...

Magsulfate, BSN, RN · Mar 24, 2009

As many as can possibly fit in the room. This gets on my nerves too!

I understand that there are situations where someone might need to stay the night with the patient, but for the most part, I disagree with letting visitors stay the night.

They won't get any rest. I've actually had visitors get upset with me at 7am when I go to do my first rounds and turn on the light. In ICU, that's when we wake up the patients, gee SORRY IF I WOKE YOU, visitor. Here, let me let you sleep till noon and I won't turn on the light or even wake the patient to do a neuro check. Dang.

truern · Mar 25, 2009

In our new tower all the rooms have chairs that turn into nice comfy twin beds for overnighters. Visiting hours are *supposed* to end at 8pm, but I don't see that enforced.

I've often wondered why people feel the need to visit patients when they're not feeling well to start with. Let them get well enough to go home and THEN go visit.

mstere · Mar 25, 2009

We must remember to care for the patient with a holistic approach. Family plays a large part of the patient's life in many cultures and we need to remember the patient's family has the right to advocate for them and be there with them. If the family gets in the way or is annoying you just simply ask them to step out of the room for a few minutes while you take care of your business. I dont think there should be a limit unless its in the ICU. But, we should be reminded that healing works well in a low stimuli environment in a lot of cases so we need to learn how to manage according to the patient's needs as well. Its a complex situation but just remember do not be rude. I have seen it a few times and feel it is not needed.

Annisme · Mar 25, 2009

Our hospital policy is 2 visitors at a time. As noted in other posts, sometimes that is overlooked. I have no problem asking visitors to adhere to the 2 at a time rule...I am advocating for my patients, all of them. I have let my patients know that, if they are tired and would rather not have long visits, I will be the "bad guy" and ask visitors to leave so a) the patient can rest, b) we can "do some daily things that need to be done", c) whatever else we need to say to get our patient some rest without upsetting the apple cart. I really don't care if the visitors are upset, but this sometimes upsets the patient and I DO care about that. I did recently ask about 10 family members to leave an ER treatment room so that we could get in to take care of our patient. When they all tried to come back in, Security became "visible", so they changed their minds. God love Security!

As for staying all night...if the patient is female, she can have 1 female over 18 stay, if necessary but we try to send them home to rest, too. The same with male patients. Spouses can stay as long as there is not another patient in the room.

Virgo_RN, BSN, RN · Mar 25, 2009

How many visitors does your hospital allow in the patient room?!!! Do you need to supply extra seats for them? How many can stay overnight?!!

It really depends on your hospital's policy, but my personal opinion is this: You are the nurse. You get to make judgment calls that are in the best interest of your patient. If you can't care for your patient because there are too many family members, you can ask that they leave the room. If your patient is tired and needs rest and the visitors are interfering with that, you can ask that they leave.

abbaking · Mar 26, 2009

Since my hospital is trying to increase patient satisfaction, we have 24 hour visiting hours and a limit to 2 visitors at a time. Realistically, there are times when 6 people are visiting a single patient (basic med-surg) in our small semi-private and 3-bed rooms. Ever try to get a Code Cart into the third bed with all the people and chairs and crap in the way???

I am too busy caring for my patients to see if you need pillows and blankets for yourself.

Our 3-bed rooms are small to begin with. Sometimes without any visitors, just getting to the third bed is an Olympic Sport!