R. Candal2, D. Ballard1, B. Briones2, J. Sugar2, T. Lairmore2, R. K. White2, N. Samra2 1Washington University,St. Louis, MO, USA 2Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center,Shreveport, LA, USA
Introduction:
Intensive care units (ICUs) have begun shifting from restricted to open visiting hours for their patients over recent years, and this has been viewed both positively and negatively. The purpose of this study was to survey healthcare providers about how surgical and trauma patients are impacted by these two different policies of open versus restricted visiting hours in a surgical ICU.
Methods:
Single institution IRB-approved survey study that distributed Likert survey questions to healthcare providers working in a surgical ICU. Providers were asked a series of questions on preferences and perceptions of open and restricted visiting hours. Responses were pooled with descriptive statistics.
Results:
93 respondents included nurses (n=49/93; 53%, resident physicians (n=21; 23%), respiratory therapists (n=17; 18%), speech pathologists (n=4; 4%), occupational therapist (n=1; 1%), and nurse practitioner (n=1; 1%). Most (n=66; 73%) had 5 years or less experience working in a surgical ICU, while 13 respondents (14%) had greater than 15 years experience. The majority of respondents (n=73; 79%) had experience working outside the surgical ICU in a hospital setting. The vast majority of respondents either disagreed (n=41; 44%) or strongly disagreed (n=34; 37%) that open ICU visiting hours would provide better patient-centered care. Regarding open ICU visiting hours, most agreed (n=27; 29%) or strongly agreed (n=55; 60%) that open hours would increase stress on the healthcare team agreed or strongly agreed (n=57; 61%) that it would cause more stress to the patient, and agreed or strongly agreed (n=71; 76%) that open hours would lead to increased healthcare provider burnout. Regarding restricted ICU visiting hours, the vast majority agreed or strongly agreed (n=60; 64%) that restricted hours led to a better healing course for the patient, disagreed or strongly disagreed (n=50; 54%) that restricted hours led to increased communication barriers between providers and patients’ families, and agreed or strongly agreed (n=76; 81%) that restricted hours led to decreased stressed for healthcare providers.
Conclusion:
Our survey suggests healthcare providers in a surgical ICU have a negative perception of open ICU visiting hours with concerns that a shift to open hours would lead to increased stress on both the patients and providers.