Intensive care unit visitation policies in Brazil: firsts steps in Latin America - Critical Care Science (CCS)

Intensive care unit visitation policies in Brazil: firsts steps in Latin America |

Intensive care medicine is a complex process with important repercussions for patients’ families. A systematic approach that incorporates family care is one of the pillars of humanized care. Beyond human aspects, this philosophy is associated with pragmatic outcomes and better communication and family satisfaction with care.^(,)

Some authors have shown how family satisfaction with care provided in the intensive care unit (ICU) is influenced by factors other than open visiting hours or the frequency of visitation.⁽⁾ These factors include good communication skills, ICU staff courtesy, compassion, respect, high quality information provided to the family, and a satisfactory level of health care received by the patient. Structural aspects, such as waiting rooms, facilities for short or long stay for the family, and visitation logistics (the number and time allowed for visits) are also important. However, it is important to keep in mind that the open visitation policies are controversial, leading to numerous debates among experts around the world. Health care staff have justified restricted visiting hours by claiming that visitation interferes with the delivery of nursing care and that their work demands are increased by family questions, concerns and requests.⁽⁾ Intensive care societies emphasize the need for the implementation of humanized care, and an optimum balance is needed.^(,)

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