Open visitation and nurse job satisfaction: An integrative review

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To explore the effect of open visitation on critical care nurse job satisfaction. BACKGROUND: Open visitation has many benefits for ICU patients and families. However, ICU open visitation also affects nurses' work environment. Because nurse satisfaction is crucial to overall patient satisfaction, nurses' perceptions, experiences and opinions about open visitation should be considered. DESIGN: A literature search was performed through CINAHL Complete, MEDLINE Complete, PubMed, ScienceDirect, Academic Search Premier and PsychINFO. METHODS: Key terms, inclusion criteria and exclusion criteria were applied. Duplicates and articles focusing on family presence during end of life care were excluded. Articles were evaluated for data quality, resulting in 14 articles. RESULTS: Family presence can negatively affect nurses' workflow and environment. Nurses report a loss of control, interruptions in care and increased workloads with open visitation. Therefore, nurses prefer restricted visitation. CONCLUSIONS: The literature evidence encourages visitation policies that support nurses in managing the additional work and stress of meeting patient and family needs. Implementation of evidence-based strategies to support nursing staff in stressful ICU environments can improve job satisfaction. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: The conclusions of this integrative review can be utilized by hospitals considering or implementing ICU open visitation.