title: "To See With My Own Eyes": Experiences of Family Visits During Phase 1 Recovery.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Long separations are a characteristic of the day of surgery, keeping patients and their family members waiting and apart. At a time of high vulnerability, these separations can cause anxiety and worry. The purpose of this study was to identify the outcomes and experiences of patients and family members who engaged in a 5- to 10-minute supervised family visit during phase I postanesthesia recovery.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a descriptive, single-group, mixed-methods study.
  
  
  METHODS
  Quantitative data, gathered on the day of surgery, was obtained from patients (vital signs, state anxiety scores) and their designated family members (state anxiety scores); satisfaction with the visit was also measured. An optional second, qualitative phase included a semi-structured interview examining the remembered experiences of patients and family members.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A statistically significant drop in state anxiety was discovered after the visit, and satisfaction with the visit was exceedingly high. Qualitatively, patients and family members described their overwhelming relief to be able "to see with my own eyes" how well each was doing.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study supports that family visits in the postanesthesia care unit are safe and profoundly important as an independent nursing intervention. Recommendations include implementation of family visits during postanesthesia care unit recovery for all patients and family members who desire them.
authors.forename: M Cecilia
authors.initials: MC
authors.lastname: Wendler
authors.forename: Katherine
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: Wanda
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Ellenburg
authors.forename: Rita
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Gill
authors.forename: Lea
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Anderson
authors.forename: Kim
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Spiegel-Thayer
mesh_terms: D005190:Family; D006801:Humans; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016528:Postanesthesia Nursing; D011997:Recovery Room; D014789:Visitors to Patients
keywords: PACU; family visitation; postanesthesia recovery