title: Open access in the critical care environment.
abstract: Open access has become an important topic in critical care over the last 3 years. In the past, critical care had restricted access and set visitation guidelines to protect patients. This article provides a review of the literature related to open access in the critical care environment, including the impact on patients, families, and health care providers. The ultimate goal is to provide care centered on patients and families and to create a healing environment to ensure safe passage of patients through their hospital stays. This outcome could lead to increased patient/family satisfaction.
authors.affiliation: Baylor Regional Medical Center at Grapevine, Grapevine, TX, USA; Medical Surgical Services, Medical Center of Plano, 3901 West 15th Street, Plano, TX 75075, USA. Electronic address: tabnderrick@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Tabitha
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: South
authors.affiliation: 4 Roberts Intensive Care Unit, Baylor University Medical Center at Dallas, 3500 Gaston Avenue, Dallas, TX, USA.
authors.forename: Brigette
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Adair
mesh_terms: D022126:Access to Information; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D007362:Intensive Care Units; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital; D015279:Organizational Culture; D011368:Professional-Family Relations; D014789:Visitors to Patients
keywords: Critical care; Family satisfaction; ICU diary; ICU visiting; Nurse perception and attitudes; Open access; Open visitation