title: Using evidence to overcome obstacles to family presence.
abstract: Family presence is advocated by many professional organizations and recommended in practice guidelines. However, firmly held beliefs often prevent full implementation of family presence on rounds and with visiting. This article will review the evidence surrounding common concerns that family presence will increase infection, have adverse effects on the physiologic status of the patient, defer from teaching opportunities, or otherwise interfere with rounds. The notion that families need to be encouraged to go home to rest is also explored. A case study describing 1 unit's efforts to improve family presence is described. Strategies to overcome obstacles inhibiting family presence will be provided.
authors.affiliation: Research Nurse Liaison (Dr Davidson), BMT/Surgical Oncology Unit, (Ms Savidan), Cardiac Care Unit (Ms Barker), Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (Ms Ekno), Progressive Care Units (Ms Warmuth), Care Coordination, UCSD Health Services (Ms Degen-De Cort), La Jolla California.
authors.forename: Judy E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.forename: Kimberly A
authors.initials: KA
authors.lastname: Savidan
authors.forename: Nancy
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Barker
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ekno
authors.forename: Dianne
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Warmuth
authors.forename: Annemarie
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Degen-De Cort
mesh_terms: D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D017053:Infection Control / Q000592:standards; D007363:Intensive Care Units, Neonatal / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019982:Organizational Case Studies; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D056164:Teaching Rounds; D014789:Visitors to Patients