Strategies for Stepping Out of Visiting-Related Challenges in Intensive Care Units: Descriptive Exploratory Study

Hospitalization in Intensive Care Units (ICUs) is a very stressful experience for the patient and family and their separation has not been confirmed in any of the studies. At present, ICU visiting is limited that makes several challenges. Therefore, this descriptive-exploratory study, aimed to explore strategies for overcoming the challenges of visiting  This was a descriptive-exploratory qualitative study conducted through in-depth semi-structured interviews with 35 participants in educational hospitals of Shahrekord University of Medical Sciences including 6 patients, 9 patients' family members or friends, and 20 nurses during 2018. Interviews were continued until data saturation and then data analysis was performed using inductive thematic analysis approach.  Participants stated two main themes for stepping out of visiting-related Challenges. (1) "Reducing the Need to Meet" through "Education about visiting rules", "Improving the Environment" and "Family Interaction" and (2) "Modified Meetings" through "Upgrading the Meeting Behind the windows", "using permanent monitor" and "flexible meeting". The ICU visits in Shahrekord hospitals, are limited like in other parts of the country. However, it is hoped that implementation of the extracted strategies in ICUs will solve many of visiting-related issues and eliminate the conflicting experience of patients, peers, and staff.