Critical-care visitation: the patients' perspective

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Patient Experience Research
• Hospital Administration

Background:

• Restricted visiting hours are common in critical care units.
• Patient and family-centered care models emphasize the importance of visitation.
• Limited research exists on patient preferences for visitation in intensive care settings.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess critically ill patients' satisfaction with restricted visiting hours.
• To identify patient preferences regarding the timing and frequency of visitation.
• To explore patient desires for greater control over visitation policies.

Main Methods:

• A study was conducted in a 435-bed acute-care hospital in North Carolina.
• Data collection focused on critically ill patients in critical-care units.
• The study aimed to identify preferred visitation times and desired visitor frequency.

Main Results:

• Patients expressed a desire for more control over visitation.
• Findings highlight specific preferences for visitation timing and frequency.
• Patient satisfaction is linked to perceived control over visiting hours.

Conclusions:

• Critically ill patients want increased autonomy in visitation decisions.
• Hospital policies may need revision to better align with patient preferences.
• Enhancing patient control over visitation can improve the critical care experience.