Implementation of a flexible visiting policy in intensive care unit: A randomized clinical trial

Background: Visitation is one of the most critical needs of patients in intensive care units (ICUs). Clinicians should enable a more flexible visitation policy to prevent the adverse effects of a restricted approach.

Aim and objectives: This study aimed at investigating the relationship between increasing visitation time and patients' physiological parameters in intensive units. Additionally, nurses' beliefs and attitudes towards visiting is examined in this research.

Design: Parallel randomized clinical trial.

Methods: This study was conducted in four general medical ICUs in Iran. In total, 60 patients and 57 nurses participated in this study. The patients' physiological parameters were measured at particular times in both groups. Moreover, the nurses responded to the questionnaire on beliefs and attitudes towards visitation in intensive units before and after the intervention.

Results: Among all the physiological parameters, systolic and diastolic blood pressure and heart rate had a significant decrease within the normal range 10 and 30 minutes after visiting in the intervention group (P < .05), and nurses' beliefs and attitudes score were at the middle of the survey scoring range (0-120). However, no significant difference was found between nurses' belief and attitude score and intervention in any groups (P >.05).

Conclusion: The findings indicate that increasing visitation times can lead to a positive effect on the stability and balance of patients' physiological parameters.

Relevance to clinical practice: A more flexible visiting policy can provide a therapeutic environment where not only patients' physiological disorders are minimised as much as possible but also a higher level of patients' health and satisfaction are reached.

Keywords: attitudes; clinical trial; health policy; intensive care unit; nurse.

© 2020 British Association of Critical Care Nurses.

Comment in

Bichard E, Herring D. Bichard E, et al. Nurs Crit Care. 2020 Nov;25(6):379-381. doi: 10.1111/nicc.12544. Epub 2020 Sep 9. Nurs Crit Care. 2020. PMID: 32902081 No abstract available.

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