“To See With My Own Eyes”: Experiences of Family Visits During Phase 1 Recovery

Exploring the Lived Experience of Families Waiting for Surgical Patients: A Qualitative Study

“…Trimm and Sandford 2 described the interaction between negative and positive thoughts and feelings in the interplay of thoughts and feelings domain to maintain psychological equilibrium when waiting. Researchers reported that family members experience some level of anxiety when waiting 3,8,9 . However, the state anxiety levels of surgical waiting family members was either low 3,9 or moderate 8 .…”

“…Researchers reported that family members experience some level of anxiety when waiting 3,8,9 . However, the state anxiety levels of surgical waiting family members was either low 3,9 or moderate 8 . Although participants in our study did not complete a designated tool to quantify their anxiety, the interview responses appeared to indicate anxiety levels that were similar to the state anxiety levels of participants in previous studies 3,8,9 and may be a result of balancing 2 …”

Incorporating family visitation in the postanesthesia care unit

“…Implementing a visitation policy in the PACU can be met with personnel concerns about the possibility of patient harm (e.g., vital sign changes) or problematic family member responses (e.g., fainting, vomiting), patient privacy and confidentiality issues, and disruptions to workflow, among others . The American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses, however, indicates that family visitation does not substantially compromise patient privacy, and is associated with many benefits, including…”

“…The separation of family members from patients during the perioperative period can result in anxiety and other negative feelings for both groups. Allowing family visitation in the postanesthesia care unit (PACU) is one way to alleviate some of these feelings and improve patient and family satisfaction . Family presence in the PACU, however, can substantially affect the day‐to‐day work of PACU personnel; therefore, facilities looking to implement a visitation program in this setting should consider both the benefits for families and patients and the possible implications for personnel when amending their policies .…”

It Is Time to Balance the Risks With Notions of Good

“…And, family presence has the following effects on the family: Decreases family member anxiety 30 , 31 , 32 , 33 Increases family satisfaction 33 , 34 Reduces the incidence of PTSD in adolescent visitors 35 …”