Calling For A More Balanced Approach to Hospital and Nursing Home Visitation During Times of Crisis

DERBY, Conn., May 25, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- A new decision-making tool was released today to help healthcare leaders implement hospital and nursing home visitation policies that balance safety and infection control with the importance of in-person family presence. The free resource is available at bit.ly/visitingpolicyaid. The decision-making framework was developed by a broad stakeholder group convened by Planetree International. Members included nurses, healthcare executives, quality and safety experts, and patients and family caregivers.

The effort was funded by the American Nurses Foundation. "The Foundation is committed to funding a solution that taps into building a healthier world through the power of nursing," said Kate Judge, Executive Director, American Nurses Foundation. "The toolkit provides a practical solution for nurses to balance the need for safety and family presence, which is fundamental to continuing the healing process."

The decision-making toolkit guides nurse leaders and others in considering a range of variables when establishing visiting parameters. These include local conditions, resource availability, equity, and evidence about potential harms and benefits of family presence. It has been endorsed by healthcare accrediting bodies, nurse professional organizations, patient and family advocacy groups, large health systems and a number of international quality and safety organizations.

"People being separated from loved ones during a healthcare episode has caused immense suffering. Nurses and other caregivers have also agonized over the impact of these restrictions, struggling with what is the 'right thing to do,'" said Susan B. Frampton, PhD, President of Planetree International. "This decision-making aid provides a structure to help leaders make these challenging decisions with confidence and to reinstate family caregivers at the bedside of their loved ones."

Early adopters have praised the clear cut rationale behind the tool and expressed that it helped them to advocate for family presence guidelines that align with their professional obligations and values. Several nurse leaders will share their experiences with establishing visitation policies during the pandemic on a free webinar on June 2, 2021 entitled If It Were Your Family What Would You Want? A Balanced and Informed Approach to Reinstating Family Presence. Register at bit.ly/Ptreewebinar 

About Planetree International
Started by a patient in 1978, Planetree International is a not-for-profit organization that partners with healthcare organizations to create cultures of person-centered care.

Media Contact:
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SOURCE Planetree International