Visitation in critical care: processes and outcomes of a performance improvement initiative.
When family members became dissatisfied with a restrictive visiting policy in a combined coronary and medical intensive care unit, this situation was seen as an opportunity to better meet patient and family needs. A review of the literature indicated that open visitation policies enhance patient and family satisfaction, while a survey of patients, families, and health care team members revealed a desire for a more open visitation policy. Nursing staff, with input from other disciplines, developed and implemented a less restrictive visitation policy. Post-intervention surveys revealed higher patient and family satisfaction and a marked decrease in formal complaints.
Roland
P
P
Central Arkansas Veterans Healthcare System Little Rock, Arkansas, USA.
Russell
J
J
Richards
K C
KC
Sullivan
S C
SC
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001131:Arkansas; D003422:Critical Care / Q000592:standards*; D005190:Family; D005260:Female; D006787:Hospitals, Veterans; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000592:standards*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D017749:Total Quality Management; D014789:Visitors to Patients