Nurse' s opinions about implementation of a flexible or an open visiting policy in Intensive Care Unit

Introduction: The majority of the ICUs applies a restricted visiting policy, despite the fact that numerous research data support the beneficial impact of a flexible or an open visiting policy for the patients and their families. Aim: The aim of the present study was to explore the perceptions of the ICU nursing staff regarding the implementation of a flexible or an open visiting policy, as well as the impact of these perception on the patients, their families and the nurses themselves. Material – Method: The studied sample consisted of 105 nurses working in the ICUs of five Hospitals of Athens, Greece. The data collection was conducted through the use of a questionnaire, which included the demographic and professional data and questions regarding the nurses’ perceptions in relation to the types of visitation as well as their benefits or not for the patients, their families and the working conditions of the nursing staff. The statistical analysis was performed by the statistical package SPSS, ver. 17.Results: 90.5% of the studied sample was working in an ICU with a restricted type visitation policy and 57.2% was against changing the existing policy, though the participants did not appear to be totally against a flexible policy. There was no statistical correlation between the gender and the nurses’ perception. Working position, educational level and the years of working experience showed statistically significant correlation. Nurses with higher educational level and more experience had recognized the beneficial impact of visitation on patient and were in favor of the implementation of a more flexible policy, recognizing the increased satisfaction of the patients, their families and themselves. However, they are opposed letting the patients themselves or their families decide on the type of visitation to be implemented.Conclusions: The type of visitation in the ICUs affects the patients, their families and the nursing staff of the ICUs. The nursing staff appears to be positive for the flexible visitation policy, which seems to cover the needs of all who are involved.