title: [Benefits of flexible visitation in the intensive care units for the family of critical patients].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To identify, analyze and summarize the main effects that may be related to flexible visitation policies for the relatives of critically ill adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  A review of the literature was conducted in the following databases: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane Library and CUIDEN. Thematic content analysis was used to evaluate selected articles.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Fifteen articles were included in this review. Four main themes emerged from the thematic content analysis. Themes included the main effects of flexible visitation policies for the family of the critical patients such as: improvement of satisfaction, reduction of anxiety and stress, satisfaction regarding their own family needs, and the role of the family in the patient's care.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  According to the existing evidence, flexible visitation policies appear to be both beneficial and decisive. It seems to be necessary to favor the participation of the family in the care of the intensive patient as well as the acquisition of a more prominent role the visitation context and in their relationship with the patient.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Enfermería de la Persona Adulta, Facultad de Enfermería, Universidad de Navarra, Pamplona, España. meibarrondo@unav.es
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Errasti-Ibarrondo
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tricas-Sauras
mesh_terms: D016638:Critical Illness; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D014789:Visitors to Patients