Abstract
ObjectivesTo examine conditions and strategies to meet the challenges imposed by the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)-related visiting restrictions in Scandinavian intensive care units. Research methodology/designA cross-sectional survey. SettingAdult intensive care units in Denmark, Norway and Sweden. Main outcome measuresLikert scale responses and free-text comments within six areas: capacity and staffing, visiting policies and access to the unit, information and conferences with relatives, written information, children as relatives and follow-up initiatives. ResultsThe overall response rate was 53% (74/140 participating units). All intensive care units had planned for capacity extensions; the majority ranging between 11 and 30 extra beds. From March–June 2020, units had a mean maximum of 9.4 COVID-19 patients simultaneously. Allowing restricted visiting was more common in Denmark (52%) and Norway (61%) than in Sweden where visiting was mostly denied except for dying patients (68%), due to a particular increased number of COVID-19 patients. The restrictions forced nurses to compromise on their usual standards of family care. Numerous models for maintaining contact between relatives and patients were described. ConclusionVisitation restrictions compromised the quality of family care and entailed dilemmas for healthcare professionals but also spurred initiatives to developing new ways of providing family care.
Highlights
Millions of people have been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide, and more than three million people have died from this infectious disease (WHO, 2021)
Critical illness affects the life of the patient and the lives of the close relatives who suddenly must deal with the acute, critical illness and perhaps fear of losing a loved one, and in this pandemic, they may be infected with the disease themselves
Acknowledging that the COVID-19 pandemic has limited relatives’ access to patients in the intensive care units (ICUs) and that this situation is challenging for healthcare professionals, this study aimed to examine conditions and strategies to meet the challenges imposed by the COVID-19-related visiting restrictions in the ICU
Summary
Millions of people have been diagnosed with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) worldwide, and more than three million people have died from this infectious disease (WHO, 2021). The pandemic has entailed numerous challenges for the healthcare system and the care for critically ill ICU patients and their relatives. The restriction has resulted in limited possibilities for relatives to visit patients in the ICU. An open visitation policy is a cornerstone for relatives to be able to visit and be involved in the care of their critically ill loved ones (VandallWalker and Clark, 2011) and may reduce long-term psychological health problems for families (Fumis et al, 2015; Jacob et al, 2016). Policies for maintaining contact at a distance may prove useful at ordinary times for relatives who for different reasons cannot visit the ICU, as well as during future pandemics
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
