Open Visitation Considerations

150 Words1 Pages
The purpose of this review article is to identify the benefits of an open visitation policy within the critical care unit, and explore the barriers impeding family presence. The key finding of the review is that a nurses’ decision to allow unrestricted family presence is negatively influenced by perceptions opposing an open visitation policy and gaps in knowledge about the benefits of family presence. Nursing perceptions opposing open visitation are discussed according to key themes, including: legal ramifications, nursing morale, provision of care, patient wellbeing and family wellbeing. The advantages of unrestricted family presence for patients and families are acknowledged, and used to contradict the opposing perceptions. Implementation