From Open to Closed: COVID-19 Restrictions on Previously Unrestricted Visitation Policies in Adult Intensive Care Units

Activity Summary

Required reading for all learners: Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes

No visitor policies were the norm in the first wave of the COVID-19 pandemic even in ICUs that had pre-pandemic open visitation. Despite evidence of the physiologic and psychologic benefits, and low virus transmission rates between patients, visitors, and healthcare staff, many healthcare systems continued with no visitor or restrictive policies. This study describes ICU visitation policies during the pandemic in a national sample of Magnet and Pathway to Excellence hospitals that previously allowed open/unrestricted visitation. Study results highlight the need for patients, families, and nursing and health care staff to work together to create pandemic-proof visitation policies. A shared decision-making model using existing tools can help with creating a transparent process.

Objectives

Define open visitation and the physiologic and psychologic benefits to patients and families.
Describe visitation practices in the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Identify decision-making tools to aid in establishing transparent visitation processes.

Continuing Education Disclosure Statement

Successful Completion

Learners must complete the entire activity and the associated evaluation to be awarded contact hours AND read Implicit Bias impacts patient outcomes. No partial credit will be awarded.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's Commission on Accreditation.

Provider approved by the California Board of Registered Nursing, Provider number CEP 1036, for 1.00 contact hours.

Disclosure

Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content will be identified by the Nurse Planner within the activity. Any relevant relationship between an ineligible company and an individual with the ability to influence clinical content has been mitigated.

Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN, ANCC, or CBRN approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Activities with pharmacology hours are to assist the APRN in fulfilling the pharmacotherapeutic education requirements for licensure and certification renewals.

Activities meet the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your own state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting your certificate of completion.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.