Visiting time preferences of patients, visitors and staff.
OBJECTIVE
To obtain the views of patients, visitors and nursing staff regarding visiting hours.


METHODS
Questionnaires, collecting qualitative and quantitative data, were distributed on each of the trust's 35 inpatient adult wards. A total of 863 completed questionnaires were returned - 432 from nursing staff, 227 from patients and 204 from visitors.


RESULTS
None of the three groups of respondents preferred completely open visiting; Patients and visitors preferred open visiting with a quiet hour; Nursing staff preferred set visiting hours; One-third of patients were embarrassed about receiving nursing care in front of visitors; One-third of patients, visitors and staff did not like visitors to be present at mealtimes.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses, patients and visitors did not prefer open visiting as first choice, preferring to have a rest period. This highlights the need to consult with service users.
Tanner
Judith
J
Derby Hospitals, NHS Foundation Trust.
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006760:Hospitalization / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D016134:Organizational Policy; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D013222:State Medicine; D013997:Time Factors; D006113:United Kingdom; D014789:Visitors to Patients / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*