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 attend/view/read the entire activity and complete the associated evaluation to be awarded the contact hours or CERP. No partial credit will be awarded.

Disclosure

This activity has been reviewed by the Nurse Planner. It has been determined that the material presented here shows no bias. No conflicts of interest have been identified for any individual with the ability to influence the content of this activity. Accreditation refers to recognition of continuing education only and does not imply AACN or ANCC approval or endorsement of any commercial products discussed or displayed in conjunction with this educational activity.

Accreditation

The American Association of Critical-Care Nurses (AACN) is accredited as a provider of nursing continuing professional development by the American Nurses Credentialing Center's (ANCC's) Commission on Accreditation, ANCC Provider Number 0012. AACN has been approved as a provider of continuing education in nursing by the California State Board of Nursing (CBRN), California Provider number CEP 1036. This activity is approved for 1.00 contact hours.

AACN programming meets the standards for most states that require mandatory continuing education contact hours for license and/or certification renewal. AACN recommends consulting with your state board of nursing or credentialing organization before submitting CE to fulfill continuing education requirements.

Refund Policy

Continuing Education Activities are nonrefundable.