Identifying a Researchable Problem: Open Visitations in ICU Oksana Bjorlie Walden University Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice NURS 6052 Dr. ...

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Identifying a Researchable Problem: Open Visitations in ICU
According to ASHA Evidence Based Practice is the combination of clinical expertise opinion, data, and patient’s perspectives, with the goal of providing high-quality services (2013). The process of evidence-based practice consists of formulating a research question, collecting evidence, including views, and then evaluating the entire process. This project introduces the research topic I’ve chosen, which identifies a researchable problem, and formulates an answerable question that is relevant to nursing and evidence-based practice.
Open Visitations in ICU Initiative
Today, most hospitals have strict ICU visiting hours despite increasing awareness that family and friends play an active role in a patient’s care. Typically, patients in ICU are critically ill and are often at the end stages of their lives. The presence of family and friends in these circumstances is vital in creating the most comfortable and therapeutic environment for the patient. Studies have shown the benefit for the patients when the support and positive reinforcement of family and friends is present. Furthermore, a randomized controlled trial revealed that an unrestricted ICU visiting policy is associated with reduced cardio-circulatory complications, possibly because visits reduce patient anxiety and promote a more favorable hormonal profile (Berti, Ferdinande, Moons, 2007).
Among medical teams in ICU there is a conviction of opposition to opening the unit and allowing the presence of family members at the bedside. The reasons for their convictions are:
• Possible increased risk for infections to patient and visitors.
• Interference with the patient’s care.
• Increase in patient’s and family’s/friend...

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References
ASHA. (2013). Evidence based practice. Retrieved from American Speech-Language-hearing
Association: http://www.asha.org/members/ebp/
Berti. D., Ferdinande. P., Moons. P., (2007). Beliefs and attitudes of intensive care nurses toward visits and open visiting policy. Intensive Care Med 33: 1060-1065. Retrieved from
DOI 10.1007/s00134-007-0599-x
Berwick. D., Kotagal. M., (2004). Restricted visiting hours in ICUs: Time to change. American
Medical Association 292(6). 736. Retrieved from http//waldenulibrary.edu
Davies, K. (2011). Formulating the evidence based practice question: A review of the frameworks. Evidence-Based Library and Information Practice 6(2), 75-80. Retrieved from http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/EBLIP/article/viewFile/9741/8144

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