The needs of relatives visiting adult critical care units as perceived by relatives and nurses. Part 2

Family Visitation in Greek Intensive Care Units: Nurses’ Perspective

“…The most important needs are summarized into 5 categories: comfort, information, assurance, support, and ability to be near the patient. 8,[15][16][17]29,55,56 In our study, the overall score on the beliefs scale indicates that nurses tend to recognize the emotional benefit of visiting and open visiting for patients and patients' families, a finding also reported by other researchers. 12,22,31,[33][34][35][36][37] Despite these results, the needs of information, reassurance, and closeness, which are highly ranked by patients' relatives, are perceived differently by nurses, causing conflicts in the ICUs.…”

“…12,22,31,[33][34][35][36][37] Despite these results, the needs of information, reassurance, and closeness, which are highly ranked by patients' relatives, are perceived differently by nurses, causing conflicts in the ICUs. 8,[15][16][55][56][57] Nurses' scores on their beliefs about the effect of visiting on the organization of care and on staff were moderately low, results that are almost unanimous in all studies. Some investigators 8,22,31,[34][35][36] accept these negative perceptions that patients' families can cause chaos and are physical obstacles to nurses.…”

“…Support for nurses with physical and psychological burdens, incentives for the promotion of flexible visitation, and frequent updates of best evidence on family visitation might also contribute to behavioral changes and the adoption of new visiting policies. 15,28,35,43,[46][47]50,[53][54]59 ACKNOWLEDGMENTS This research was performed at 401 General Military Hospital of Athens, 251 General Air Force Hospital of Athens, Navy Hospital of Athens, Attiko University Hospital of Athens, Konstantinopouleio-Agia Olga General Hospital of Nea Ionia/Athens, and Sotiria General Hospital of Chest Diseases of Athens, Athens, Greece. We thank all study participants and ICU head nurses for their contributions to the study.…”

“…9,14 Negative intense reactions, such as anger, irritability, shock, grief, and loss of control are often prevalent outside the ICUs, creating the need for closeness for family members to stay by the bedside of their beloved. [1][2][3][4][5][6][7][8][9][14][15][16][17][18][19] From the perspective of family-centered care and improvement of quality, interest in finding new ways of implementing more flexible visiting hours in critical care settings has increased during the past few years. 10,[20][21][22][23][24][25] Several investigators 8,[10][11][12][13]19,26,27 whose studies focused on the satisfaction of patients and the patients' families have pointed out the importance of meeting the families' needs and incorporating those needs into the nursing care plan.…”

“…10,[20][21][22][23][24][25] Several investigators 8,[10][11][12][13]19,26,27 whose studies focused on the satisfaction of patients and the patients' families have pointed out the importance of meeting the families' needs and incorporating those needs into the nursing care plan. Evidence 5,8,9,12,[14][15][16][17][18][26][27][28][29][30] also suggests that a flexible visiting policy increases the satisfaction of patients and patients' families, reduces their anxiety, and helps them integrate more effectively into the complicated and hostile ICU environment.…”