Perceptions of an open visitation policy by intensive care unit workers.

ABSTRACT:

Background

An intensive care unit (ICU) admission is a stressful event for the patient and the patient's family. Several studies demonstrated symptoms of anxiety, depression, and posttraumatic stress disorder in family members of patients admitted to ICU. Some studies recognize that the open visitation policy (OVP) is related to a reduction in symptoms of anxiety and depression for the patient and an improvement in family satisfaction. However, some issues have been presented as barriers for the adoption of that strategy. This study was designed to evaluate perceptions of physicians, nurses, and respiratory therapists (RTs) of an OVP and to quantify visiting times in a Brazilian private intensive care unit (ICU).

Methods

This observational and descriptive study was performed

SUBMITTER: da Silva Ramos FJ 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3854481 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature