Visitation: policy versus practice.

Few topics have generated as much controversy as visitation policies in critical care units. This national survey of nurses caring for acute myocardial infarction patients reveals that the number of nurses working in units with an open visiting policy has increased substantially. Open-ended responses reveal the complex judgement that goes into nurses' decisions about whether or not to allow visitors. This article offers managers, educators, advanced practice nurses, and bedside clinicians insight into the factors that nurses consider when making these decisions.