The Effect of Family Visits on Intracranial Pressure

Family Visitation in the Adult Intensive Care Unit

“…10,15 Some ICU nurses believe that family visitation increases physiological stress in the patient and interferes with the provision of care, 16 is mentally exhausting to patients and their families, 11,[15][16][17][18][19] and contributes to increased infection 8,19 ; however, the evidence does not support these beliefs. [8][9][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Evidence does suggest that for patients, flexible visitation decreases awnxiety, 17,20,21 confusion, and agitation, 22 reduces cardiovascular complications, 20 decreases length of ICU stay, 30 makes the patient feel more secure, 31 increases patient satisfaction, 14,20,29,[31][32][33] and increases quality and safety. 20,[24][25][26][34][35][36] For patients' family members, evidence suggests that unrestricted visitation increases satisfaction, 7,11,…”

“…[8][9][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29] Evidence does suggest that for patients, flexible visitation decreases awnxiety, 17,20,21 confusion, and agitation, 22 reduces cardiovascular complications, 20 decreases length of ICU stay, 30 makes the patient feel more secure, 31 increases patient satisfaction, 14,20,29,[31][32][33] and increases quality and safety. 20,[24][25][26][34][35][36] For patients' family members, evidence suggests that unrestricted visitation increases satisfaction, 7,11,17,20,29,[36][37][38] decreases anxiety, 7,17,29,36,39,40 promotes better communication, 11,14,…”

Visiting hospitalized patients

“…When attempting to justify limited visiting of intensive care patients, staff cite physiological changes and need for rest. To date, studies have not conclusively documented a relationship between the presence of the family and changes in physiological measures (Prins 1989, Simpson & Shaver 1990, 1991. Some studies have found a positive relationship, while others have found negative results.…”

It Is Time to Balance the Risks With Notions of Good

“…Simply focusing on proximity, family presence has the following effects on the patient: Reduces incidence of delirium 5 Reduces incidence of emergence delirium 12 Reduces cardiovascular complications 13 , 14 , 15 , 16 , 17 , 18 , 19 Improves pain management, lowers anxiety, and facilitates the use of positive postoperative coping strategies 20 Decreases intracranial pressure 21 , 22 Decreases negative behavior in children 23 Does not compromise patient safety 24 Increases patient satisfaction 25 , 26 , 27 Does not increase infection risk 14 , 28 , 29 …”