Unidad de cuidados intensivos de puertas abiertas: perspectiva de los profesionales / Open door intensive care unit: View of the professionals

Introducción: En las unidades de cuidados intensivos (UCI) sigue predominando un horario de visitas restrictivo. Abrir las UCI o continuar con la política actual de visitas sigue siendo un tema controvertido para los profesionales. Objetivos: Conocer la perspectiva de los profesionales respecto a los efectos de la visita abierta en el paciente, en la familia y en la actividad profesional. Recoger propuestas para modificar la actual política de visitas. Material y método: Se pasó una encuesta tipo likert de 30 ítems a médicos, enfermeras y auxiliares que trabajan en la UCI del Hospital Universitario de Álava -Txagorritxu. Los datos recopilados en Excel se analizaron con SPSS 19.0. Para la estadística descriptiva se calcularon frecuencias y porcentajes, y para el análisis bivariante de las opiniones con relación a la edad, categoría profesional y años de experiencia la prueba chi-cuadrado. Resultados: Los profesionales (n = 64) opinaron que la visita abierta puede tener un efecto beneficioso en el paciente (67%) y en la familia (61%). Sin embargo, el 62% consideró que la visita abierta resultaría poco beneficiosa para el personal. Ni la experiencia ni la categoría profesional parecen tener influencia estadística en la percepción de beneficio de la visita abierta, sin embargo, los más jóvenes ven más beneficiosa la visita abierta para el paciente (p = 0,024). El 50% de los encuestados mantendría los horarios de visita actuales y, si la situación del paciente lo requiere, los ampliaría. Conclusiones: Los profesionales siguen considerando la política de visitas restrictivas como la opción más idónea. No obstante, aceptan ampliar los horarios en ciertos casos, si se considera beneficioso para el paciente

Introduction: Restrictive visiting hours continue to predominate at most intensive care units(ICU). Maintaining the current visiting policy or switching to an open visiting hours policy continues to be a controversial study for the staff. Objectives: To know the staff perspective on the effects of open visiting hours on patients, family and professional activity. To gather proposals in order to modify the current visiting policy. Materials and method: A 30-item 'Likert-type scale' data was administered to ICU doctors, nurses and health care assistants of Alava University Hospital. Data was collected within an Excel database and analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for descriptive statistics purposes and the Chi Square test was used for the bivariate analysis related to age, professional category and years of experience. Results: The staff (n = 64) considered that open visiting hours could have a beneficial effect on patients (67%) and relatives (61%). However, 62% considered that open visiting hours would be of little benefit for the staff themselves. Neither the experience of the respondent nor their professional category seem to have any statistical effect on the perception of the benefit of open visiting hours. However, the younger staff members consider open visiting hours would be more beneficial for the patient (p = .024). A total of 50% of surveyed staff would maintain the current visiting hours and would extend them if required by the patient’s condition. Conclusions: Staff members continue to consider the current, restricted visiting policy to be the most appropriate option for the unit. However, they accept the possibility of extending visiting hours for particular cases if beneficial for the patient

[Open door intensive care unit: perspective of the professionals]. / Unidad de cuidados intensivos de puertas abiertas: perspectiva de los profesionales.

INTRODUCTION: Restrictive visiting hours continue to predominate at most intensive care units (ICU). Maintaining the current visiting policy or switching to an open visiting hours policy continues to be a controversial study for the staff. OBJECTIVES: To know the staff perspective on the effects of open visiting hours on patients, family and professional activity. To gather proposals in order to modify the current visiting policy. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A 30-item 'Likert-type scale' data was administered to ICU doctors, nurses and health care assistants of Alava University Hospital. Data was collected within an Excel database and analyzed using SPSS 19.0. Frequencies and percentages were calculated for descriptive statistics purposes and the Chi Square test was used for the bivariate analysis related to age, professional category and years of experience. RESULTS: The staff (n=64) considered that open visiting hours could have a beneficial effect on patients (67%) and relatives (61%). However, 62% considered that open visiting hours would be of little benefit for the staff themselves. Neither the experience of the respondent nor their professional category seem to have any statistical effect on the perception of the benefit of open visiting hours. However, the younger staff members consider open visiting hours would be more beneficial for the patient (p=.024). A total of 50% of surveyed staff would maintain the current visiting hours and would extend them if required by the patient's condition. CONCLUSIONS: Staff members continue to consider the current, restricted visiting policy to be the most appropriate option for the unit. However, they accept the possibility of extending visiting hours for particular cases if beneficial for the patient.