Flexible Visiting Hours in Intensive Care

Aim

Assess the impact of flexible visiting from the perspective of patients, families, and Intensive Care Unit (ICU) staff.

Benefits

Engages with patients and family members in a way that is meaningful to them.

Background

It is widely understood that patients want, and families need, to be with their critically ill relatives whenever they can. In spite of this, we limit when they can visit. To effectively achieve improved consumer engagement it was important to understand and evaluate this initiated from key stakeholders’ perspectives for its relevance and sustainability. A before-after mixed method study was used with interviews, focus groups and surveys. Patients were interviewed, family members completed the Family Satisfaction in ICU survey and ICU staff completed a survey and participated in focus groups following the introduction of 21 hours per day visiting at Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) ICU. The study was conducted within a philosophy of family-centred care.

Evaluation and results

All interviewed patients (n=12) positively evaluated the concept of extended visiting hours. Family members’ (n=181) overall ‘satisfaction with care’ did not change; however 85 per cent were ‘very satisfied’ with increased visiting flexibility. Seventy-six percent of family visits continued to occur within the previous visiting hours (11am-8pm) with the remaining 24 per cent taking place during the newly available visiting hours. Families recognised the priority of patient care with their personal needs being secondary. Three-quarters of ICU staff were ‘satisfied’ with flexible visiting and suggested any barriers could be overcome by role modelling family inclusion.

Lessons learnt

Patients, families and ICU staff positively evaluated flexible visiting hours in this ICU. Although only a minority of families took advantage of the increased hours they indicated appreciation for the additional opportunities to be present at a time that met their needs. Junior staff may benefit from peer-support to develop family inclusion skills. More flexible visiting times can successfully be incorporated into usual ICU practice in a manner that is viewed positively by all stakeholders and promote meaningful consumer engagement.