Hospital that bans family members

Nurses Relations

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Normally I don't mind family members that much however after a recent string of AWFUL, rude, demanding family members I'm feeling a little jaded toward them right now. A co-worker sharing in my frustration mentioned that she used to work in an ICU in Alabama that only allowed family members between the hours of 8-830. I"m assuming that was both am and pm although I didn't clarify. Granted ICU's tend to have more strict visitor policies then other department so maybe the rest of the hospital was different. But I thought to myself 'what a magical place, I would drive out of my way and take a pay cut just to work there.' So that got me thinking, does anyone know of any hospitals more specifically ICU's in and around Austin, TX that have similar visitor policies? Also, what do you think about that?

Awkward story moment. They palliatively extubated my grandfather right before visiting hours were over. There were probably ten of us in his ICU room, waiting for him to die, when his nurse comes in to kick us out because visiting hours are over. We had to beg the charge nurse to let his kids stay. He died about thirty minutes after the rest of us left.

That's terrible. As long as families are being well behaved (considering the circumstances) they should be allowed to stay regardless of "policy". This is where common sense has to step in. I'm sorry you weren't able to stay as you had wanted.

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I recently had an ICU patient (and frequent flyer) who received exceptional care, and even slept well, as it was a calm and uneventful night.

After lab drew his aml he put on his call light and said "I'm not getting very good customer service this time."

His only issue was that he was awakened to have

blood drawn. It has gotten to the point that some people and even their visitors expect an enjoyable experience.

How did you respond to this man?

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Specializes in Psychiatry, Forensics, Addictions.

One can always work psych. "Visiting hours" are usually one hour per day and perhaps 2-4 hours a day on weekends so as to not interfere with the patient's treatment.

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Visiting policy at my hospital (L&D) is no more than 4 visitors in labor, and postpartum visiting is at the nurse's discretion. If there are too many people or any of them are being inappropriate, we boot them out!

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Specializes in ICU.
How did you respond to this man?

My exact words were: " you've got to be kidding."

Followed by the explanation of physicians needing results by 7 am in order to see all of their patients prior to office hours.

I advise all new nurses and so called burnt out nurses to work in OR PACU IR Cath lab as the pts

are NPO and these areas are off limits to visitors

and the food and beverage server duties are minimal to none.

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My exact words were: " you've got to be kidding."

Followed by the explanation of physicians needing results by 7 am in order to see all of their patients prior to office hours.

I advise all new nurses and so called burnt out nurses to work in OR PACU IR Cath lab as the pts

are NPO and these areas are off limits to visitors

and the food and beverage server duties are minimal to none.

I can't like this enough. I am so glad I am working in the PACU now. Sure, I am really tired after working 12 hour days and I don't trust all of the surgeons and anesthesiologists, but it sure as hell beats the floor.

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I also work L&D and feel the same. We recover our sections on unit and i have had people argue with me about being in the room. I tell them you wouldn't be allowed to be in the recovery room of a different surgery why do you think you will be in this surgical recovery ? Only the Father or support person is allowed in the room.

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So, I have worked in MANY different disciplines, from ER, OR, Long term, acute care, clinic and now home health. There is a HUGE difference in family members who generally care for their family member than others who are just there to be there. I have seen way to many who do feel that the nursing staff should jump when they say regardless of what else is going on their their family member, or elsewhere on the unit.

I have also seen the other half who generally do care, try to stay out of the nurses way when doing procedures, vitals, or general exams. I do not mind these members, regardless of how many. I enjoy the questions about their family members condition and I like to think I made them a bit more knowledgeable about them and how to care for their loved one.

To me, its all about respect... Like someone else stated in this thread, I would never go throw a mechanics tools around, or get in the way of someone else's job. But yet as nurses, we are routinely under the gun to provide "customer service", not just to the person we are caring for, but to all the others who have a total lack of respect for that job. that is where the problems lies.

Personally, I do not allow myself to be stomped on, walked on, or disrespected, and do set firm boundaries on what I feel is appropriate and what is not. At the first sign of any potential problems, I immediately get my superiors involved so they are aware if things go bad. Some people you just cannot please, but those who are respectful, not allowing their presence to disrupt their loved one's care, and taking into consideration that I just MAY know a bit more about their condition than they do, I do cross into the grey area and let things slide. I've allowed overnight visitors and "company" when its frowned upon, but these people were so respectful that making them just a bit more comfortable, helped me, help their loved one.

Again, I feel its about respect, not demanding family members. All in all, their loved one is there to recover and hopefully get them out of the hospital, and if their presence inhibits that, your darned right, I will put my foot down.

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Specializes in Critical Care, ER and Administration.

I've worked in ICUs that were very restrictive. I've also worked in ICUs that are completely open. I by far prefer the open concept. In most cases patients benefit from the contact and support of their families. Having open visitation has not impeded our patient care. Yes there are times when we have disruptive visitors or family. If needed we restrict there time or do not allow them in. Those times are rare.

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Specializes in Critical Care.

Let's back the truck up a bit. I know of NO ONE who would say families can't contribute to a patient's well being and recovery.

However, society has become so "me- focused"

many family members are stretching the limits of nursing sanity. If I have to climb over 6 people to get to my patient, time to leave folks! My patient in that bed is the priority, not you. I've actually had family members yell at me when they were staying at the bedside and their sleep got interrupted because I had to turn a light on to care for the patient. I've also had family members get mad when I ask them to wait a minute with their question as I'm verifying a medication.

I grow so tired of hospitals that are more worried about satisfaction scores than the quality of care being delivered! It's all about making visitors happy not about saving/impacting lives. I've had family members not leave and the patient has begged me to make them leave so they can rest. Then I get talked to when the visitor complains????

Folks, in should be about what is best for the patient. I've argued with fellows who want to come in and wake my patient up at 3 am for a non-emergent procedure consent. I've argued with families who pile on warm blankets because the patient looks cold...well, I'd look cold too if I wasn't perfuming due to sepsis...putting 5 blankets on while I step out of the room causing the temp to go to 41 degrees Celsius is a problem.

Administrators have gone too far off course and families are out of control. I get tired of beating my head against the wall

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Specializes in Med-surg, telemetry, critical care..

Keeping a critically I'll person away from their closest family members is cruel and inhumane. Verbally aggressive visitors can be easily dealt with. They are usually afraid and helpless. I have dealt with many a family member. Offer them some juice an crackers. Deal with their basic needs first. Raise their blood sugar and their fear and anger may dissipate long enough for you to explain their condition and maybe prepare them for what they will see during their visit. Gauge your level of information in accordance with privacy laws. What happened to good old fashioned compassion in this field? Bring back a little common sense. Otherwise you will burn out faster as you become the automatons the corporations pay you to be. Robots can and do monitor and print out vital signs. Humans afford a frightened, ventilated, wired up patient with compassion and reassurance. If you don't have compassion, get out of the field.

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I don't think banning families from visiting their sick relatives is the answer. It is what it is. This is what I do...

Families can be difficult sometimes, just as patients can. I try to remember that they are under a lot of stress and I am probably seeing them at their worst. Some people are just always rude and feel entitled. I remind myself to be thankful that I am not the sick one, and healthy and able to work. I try to remember that it is my choice to work in health care and I can change this choice at any time. I try not to complain for the results of the choices I made. Also it is not my fault they are in the hospital, just my job to provide care and treatments while they are here. If I can comfort a family member with a cup of coffee and I have the time, I am happy to do it.

Family members can be needy. When I hear this in report, I over accommodate them at the start of the shift. I usually experience them feeling grateful and eventually they back off realizing I am there for them and their sick family member. Some people will never be satisfied. I feel sorry for those people because they will suffer their entire lives playing the victim card. Again I feel grateful I am not stuck in that cycle.

I always prioritize and will explain this to my patients. If they want coffee, I will give them a choice but explain my current duties to the patient is my currently priority. I am usually up front with patients. "Your Dad is very sick. I will hang his antibiotics and then I must see two other very sick patients as well. I would be happy to get you a coffee after that. You can always go to the front desk and see if an aide is available to get you a cup sooner. Also the cafeteria is still open."

Finally I always set boundaries. If a family member's behaviour is destructive or interferes with treatments, I let my charge and super know, and call security.

Many family members are an assets. They stay over night and help their loved ones to the bathroom and are involved with their care. This can be a huge help. This has a lot to do with the strong family Japanese, Filipino, and Hawaiian cultures in the families that we serve. This is not my first career. I believe every career and job has good and bad. All I can try to do is enjoy the good, and let go of the bad as soon as possible.

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