Authors

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Hospitalization in intensive care units (ICUs) can cause physiological and
psychological challenges for patients and their family members. Using a family‑centered approach
in provision of visiting hours promotes the health of patients. The purpose of this study is to review
the perception of nurses and family members of patients in ICUs about visiting their patients.
METHODOLOGY: The published articles in the last 10 years from 2008 to 2018 on the perception of
nurses and family members of patients in critical care units about visiting their patients searched for
in databases including ScienceDirect, PubMed, Cochrane, Google Scholar, SID, Scopus, CINAHL,
OVID, IRANDOC, and Magiran using keywords “family members perception,” “nurses’ perception,”
“intensive care units,” and “visiting” in English and Farsi, and finally, 15 articles were selected.
RESULTS: Results showed that nurses do not have appropriate viewpoint about visiting patients in
ICUs, and they discussed and outlined the barriers of visiting patients given the benefits of family
members’ presence.
CONCLUSION: There are several limitations on the process of family members visiting their patients
in the ICUs. It is essential to modify the nurses’ attitudes and remove the organizational limitations
in this area.

Keywords

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