Practice of Family-centred Care in Intensive Care Units before the COVID-19-Pandemic: a cross-sectional analysis in German-speaking countries
Publisher DOI
Abstract
Abstract
Objectives
To provide insights into visiting policies and family-centred care practices with a focus on children as visitors in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in German-speaking countries.
Methods/ Design
Online-survey with a mixed approach were used. Leading clinicians (n=1,943) from German-speaking countries were invited to participate. Outcomes included the percentage of ICUs with open visiting policies, age restrictions, family-centred care activities and barriers.
Setting
Paediatric, mixed and adult ICUs.
Results
In total, 19.8% (n=385) of the clinicians responded. Open visiting times were reported by 36.3% (n=117), with significant differences between paediatric (79.2%), adult (21.3%) and mixed-age (41.2%) ICUs (p<001). Two-thirds of clinicians stated that their ICUs had no age restrictions for visiting children as visitors (n=221, 68.4%). The family-centred care activities most frequently implemented were open visiting times and dissemination of information. Significantly more German ICUs have open visiting policies and more Swiss ICUs allow children as visitors, compared to the other countries (both p<0.001). Barriers to family-centred care were concerns about children being traumatized, infection and workload.
Conclusion
The majority reported that family-centred care policies had been implemented in their ICUs, including open visiting policies, allowing children as visitors without age restriction and other family-centred care activities.
Objectives
To provide insights into visiting policies and family-centred care practices with a focus on children as visitors in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) in German-speaking countries.
Methods/ Design
Online-survey with a mixed approach were used. Leading clinicians (n=1,943) from German-speaking countries were invited to participate. Outcomes included the percentage of ICUs with open visiting policies, age restrictions, family-centred care activities and barriers.
Setting
Paediatric, mixed and adult ICUs.
Results
In total, 19.8% (n=385) of the clinicians responded. Open visiting times were reported by 36.3% (n=117), with significant differences between paediatric (79.2%), adult (21.3%) and mixed-age (41.2%) ICUs (p<001). Two-thirds of clinicians stated that their ICUs had no age restrictions for visiting children as visitors (n=221, 68.4%). The family-centred care activities most frequently implemented were open visiting times and dissemination of information. Significantly more German ICUs have open visiting policies and more Swiss ICUs allow children as visitors, compared to the other countries (both p<0.001). Barriers to family-centred care were concerns about children being traumatized, infection and workload.
Conclusion
The majority reported that family-centred care policies had been implemented in their ICUs, including open visiting policies, allowing children as visitors without age restriction and other family-centred care activities.
Date Issued
2021
Publication Type
Article
Subject(s)
Language(s)
en
Author(s)
Brauchle, Maria | |
Nydahl, Peter | |
Pregartner, Gudrun | |
Hoffmann, Magdalena |
Additional Credits
Journal
Intensive and critical care nursing
Publisher
Elsevier
ISSN
0964-3397
Access(Rights)
open.access