Exploring patient, visitor and staff views on open visiting.

BACKGROUND There is a debate within nursing on whether open visiting promotes or hinders patient care. AIM This study aimed to add to the evidence base on which visiting times best suit patients, visitors and staff. METHOD The study used a naturalistic research design. Three questionnaires were carried out with patients, visitors and staff in an oncology setting. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION The three groups favoured set visiting times and protected mealtimes. Participants also favoured a limit to the number of visitors per patient at any one time and thought a quiet time should be introduced. CONCLUSION Patients, visitors and staff preferred set visiting times. They also felt some flexibility needed to be built around these set times.