• Ann Hart, Sonya R Hardin, Amy P Townsend, Stephanie Ramsey, and April Mahrle-Henson.
• Ann Hart, MSN, RN, NEA-BC, is clinical facilitator at Caromont Regional Medical Center in Gastonia, North Carolina. Sonya R. Hardin, PhD, RN, CCRN, ACNS-BC, NP-C, is professor at the College of Nursing, East Carolina University, Greenville, North Carolina. Amy P. Townsend, MSN, ANP-BC, is adult nurse practitioner in pulmonary critical care, Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center, Winston Salem, North Carolina. Stephanie Ramsey, MSN, NP-C, is a nurse practitioner at Kings Mountain Medical Center in Kings Mountain, North Carolina. April Mahrle-Henson, MSN, RN, PCCN, AGPCNP-BC, Gastonia Medical Specialty Clinic in Gastonia, North Carolina.
• Dimens Crit Care Nurs. 2013 Nov 1;32(6):289-99.

PurposeThe purpose of the study was to explore the satisfaction of patients' families and nurses with visitation guidelines in the 5 critical care units at a 435-bed acute care hospital in the southeastern part of the United States.Problem StatementThe restriction of visitation hours for intensive care unit patients has significant implications for the health and well-being of the patient and their family. Although traditionally both facilities and staff have cited reasons to restrict family visitation, research indicates that these practices may have a detrimental effect on the overall health of the patient.MethodsA descriptive correlational design is utilized in this study. Subjects consisted of family members of patients in 1 of the 5 critical care units and nurses providing care in these units. Family and nurses completed a questionnaire on their perspective of the critical care visiting hours.ResultsThe majority of families visiting patients in the critical care setting followed the posted guidelines and were very satisfied with the guidelines. The hours most convenient for families to visit at the bedside were from 4 to 8 PM. The majority of nurses wanted to keep visiting hours during day-shift hours; family members were divided on having all hours available for visitation. Nurses had varied perspectives on whether visitation should be allowed as a restraint alternative, when family is out of town, patient emotional needs, eminent death, at time of discharge instructions, and to speak with a physician.Clinical ImplicationsFamily member visitation in the intensive care unit setting should be flexible and open. This may include tailoring a plan on admission with the family to allow open access to the patient during times when they are most available; thus, each family has a plan that suits its unique dynamics.

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