The case for relaxing no-visitor policies in hospitals during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

Munshi, Laveena; Evans, Gerald A.; Razak, Fahad

doi:10.1503/cmaj.202636

Cited by 55 publications

(79 citation statements)

References 14 publications

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“…Another example that has been overlooked is the possibility of relaxing visitor restrictions in hospitals, provided that visitors assess their own risk and take precautions (e.g., vaccination, use of PPE, hospital screening) [ 160 , 161 ]. Given the endless benefits of visitors in patient-centered care, some authors have called for more accommodating hospital policies with careful use of PPE and monitoring, even before COVID-19 vaccination was made available [ 160 ]. Currently, in places where vaccination rates are high, COVID-19 cases and deaths are decreasing and non-essential community indoor venues are open.…”

Section: Main Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 false dichotomies and a comprehensive review of the evidence regarding public health, COVID-19 symptomatology, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, mask wearing, and reinfection

et al. 2021

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Scientists across disciplines, policymakers, and journalists have voiced frustration at the unprecedented polarization and misinformation around coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. Several false dichotomies have been used to polarize debates while oversimplifying complex issues. In this comprehensive narrative review, we deconstruct six common COVID-19 false dichotomies, address the evidence on these topics, identify insights relevant to effective pandemic responses, and highlight knowledge gaps and uncertainties. The topics of this review are: 1) Health and lives vs. economy and livelihoods, 2) Indefinite lockdown vs. unlimited reopening, 3) Symptomatic vs. asymptomatic severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection, 4) Droplet vs. aerosol transmission of SARS-CoV-2, 5) Masks for all vs. no masking, and 6) SARS-CoV-2 reinfection vs. no reinfection. We discuss the importance of multidisciplinary integration (health, social, and physical sciences), multilayered approaches to reducing risk (“Emmentaler cheese model”), harm reduction, smart masking, relaxation of interventions, and context-sensitive policymaking for COVID-19 response plans. We also address the challenges in understanding the broad clinical presentation of COVID-19, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, and SARS-CoV-2 reinfection. These key issues of science and public health policy have been presented as false dichotomies during the pandemic. However, they are hardly binary, simple, or uniform, and therefore should not be framed as polar extremes. We urge a nuanced understanding of the science and caution against black-or-white messaging, all-or-nothing guidance, and one-size-fits-all approaches. There is a need for meaningful public health communication and science-informed policies that recognize shades of gray, uncertainties, local context, and social determinants of health.

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Section: Main Textmentioning

confidence: 99%

COVID-19 false dichotomies and a comprehensive review of the evidence regarding public health, COVID-19 symptomatology, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, mask wearing, and reinfection

et al. 2021

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“…This good clinical practice may be harder to manage in settings with fewer doctors and nurses than the ICUs. However, it is advisable to make comprehensive hospital rules to govern the presence of visitors, aiming to restart the process of patient—and family-centered care, even—and especially—during the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic [ 30 ].…”

Section: Tips For Icu Openingmentioning

confidence: 99%

Why and how to open intensive care units to family visits during the pandemic

et al. 2021

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Since the lockdown because of the pandemic, family members have been prohibited from visiting their loved ones in hospital. While it is clearly complicated to implement protocols for the admission of family members, we believe precise strategic goals are essential and operational guidance is needed on how to achieve them. Even during the pandemic, we consider it a priority to share strategies adapted to every local setting to allow family members to enter intensive care units and all the other hospital wards.

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“…Alors que nous continuons de lutter contre la pandémie de COVID-19, il serait judicieux de repenser l'équilibre entre les soins centrés sur le patient et sur la famille et notre devoir de réduire la transmission. 16 Bien que les politiques doivent être adaptées aux circonstances et aux ressources locales, plusieurs principes communs touchent à l'élaboration et à l'application des politiques de visites pendant les crises de santé publique. Les politiques de visite devraient être élaborées avec l'implication directe de représentants des groupes qui seront directement touchés.…”

Section: Conséquences Des Politiques De Restriction Des Visites à L'unité De Soins Intensifs Pendant La Pandémie De Covid-19unclassified

“…As we continue to battle the COVID-19 pandemic, it is prudent to re-conceptualize the balance between patientand family-centred care with our obligation to reduce transmission. 16 Although policies must be adapted to local circumstances and resources, several common principals pertain to the development and enforcement of visitation policies during public health crises. Visitation policies should be developed with direct engagement of representatives from groups who will be directly impacted.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

Consequences of visitor restriction policies in the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic

Honarmand

Mehta

2021

Can J Anesth/J Can Anesth

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The case for relaxing no-visitor policies in hospitals during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic

Cited by 55 publications

References 14 publications

COVID-19 false dichotomies and a comprehensive review of the evidence regarding public health, COVID-19 symptomatology, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, mask wearing, and reinfection

COVID-19 false dichotomies and a comprehensive review of the evidence regarding public health, COVID-19 symptomatology, SARS-CoV-2 transmission, mask wearing, and reinfection

Why and how to open intensive care units to family visits during the pandemic

Consequences of visitor restriction policies in the intensive care unit during the COVID-19 pandemic

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