Children visiting adults in ITU-what support is available? A descriptive survey

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Nursing
• Pediatric Psychology
• Family-Centered Care

Background:

• Children have historically been discouraged from visiting adult intensive therapy units (ITUs).
• Reasons for exclusion are often unsubstantiated by research.
• Existing literature suggests visiting can aid children in coping with a family member's critical illness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore current practices and policies regarding children visiting adult intensive therapy units.
• To assess the response of intensive therapy units to recommendations supporting child visitation.
• To identify gaps in policy, staff education, and information provision for child visitors.

Main Methods:

• A national postal survey was conducted.
• The survey gathered data on the support for children visiting critically ill adults in intensive therapy units.
• This study represents the first national exploration of this specific topic.

Main Results:

• Significant lack of formal policy regarding children visiting adult intensive therapy units was identified.
• Inadequate staff education on managing child visitors was highlighted.
• A deficit in available information for visitors, concerning visits by children, was evident.

Conclusions:

• Intensive therapy units demonstrate a notable absence of established policies and staff training for child visitation.
• There is a critical need for improved information resources to enable families to make informed decisions about children visiting critically ill relatives.
• The findings underscore the importance of family-centered care principles in critical care settings.