The Impact of Open Visiting Policies on Patient, Family and Nursing Care: Nurses' Perceptions in Saudi Intensive Care Units.

BACKGROUND

Family involvement in intensive care unit (ICU) and coronary care unit (CCU) care, supported by open visitation policies, is beneficial for patient outcomes. However, concerns about the impact on nursing care, patient safety and workflow lead to varying beliefs and attitudes among nurses.

AIM

This study aimed to assess nurses' beliefs and attitudes towards visitation in ICUs and CCUs and identify demographic factors associated with these attitudes.

STUDY DESIGN

A cross-sectional study was conducted in a Saudi healthcare system, involving eight hospitals. Between July and August 2023, a convenience sample of nurses completed the Beliefs and Attitudes towards Visitation in ICU Questionnaire (BAVIQ). Descriptive statistics were used to describe demographic factors, and Pearson's correlations and multivariable linear regression analyses examined associations between demographic variables and nurses' beliefs and attitudes.

RESULTS

A total of 265 nurses participated (66% response rate). The mean scores for nurses' beliefs and attitudes were 1.86 (SD = 0.44) and 1.99 (SD = 0.61), respectively, on a 5-point Likert scale (0-4). Regression analysis showed a significant positive association between beliefs and attitudes (β = 0.310, 95% CI: 0.143 to 0.477, p < 0.001). Working in ICU or CCU (β = -0.206, 95% CI: -0.334 to -0.079, p = 0.002) and nationality (β = 0.157, 95% CI: 0.014 to 0.299, p = 0.032) were associated with nurses' beliefs, while higher educational levels (β = -0.169, 95% CI: -0.335 to -0.003, p = 0.046) were negatively associated with nurses' attitudes.

CONCLUSION

Nurses held low to moderate levels of belief and attitudes towards open visitation in ICUs. Factors like ICU or CCU experience and education level were negatively associated with these beliefs and attitudes. Interventions to increase nurses' understanding of open visitation's benefits are recommended to improve the acceptance of such policies.

RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE

This study highlights the need to address nurses' concerns about open visitation policies in ICUs and CCUs, focusing on the impact on nursing care, patients' privacy and workflow efficiency.