Liberalization of Visiting Policies in ICU for Reducing High Risk of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
Liberalization of Visiting Policies in ICU for Reducing High Risk of Post-traumatic Stress Disorder
This was a cluster randomized study of an ICU level intervention to reduce high risk of
 post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) in family members of ICU patients.

 Participating ICUs had restrictive visiting policies (i.e., <6 hours/day) before
 randomization.

 After an observational period and a washout period, participating ICUs were randomized either
 to maintain their visiting policies or to liberalize their visiting policies (24 hours a day,
 7 days a week.)
Family members of ICU patients are particularly exposed to anxiety, depressive, acute stress
 disorder, and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms (PTSD).

 It is currently unknown what type of interventions/ strategies to cope with postintensive
 care syndrome family would produce the best improvement. Experts suggest that symptoms in
 family members are potentially amenable to intervention by ICU staff. One intervention to
 reduce PTSD could be a liberalization of the visiting hours. However, restrictions on
 visiting hours in the intensive care unit (ICU) are usually adopted worldwide.
Inclusion criteria :

 Patient and family member > 18 years or older,

 -  mechanical ventilation expected for more than 48 h and inclusion between day 3 and 5
 from the beginning of mechanical ventilation,

 -  patient having a family member speaking and understanding French, and with the ability
 to visit his/her relative during the ICU stay,

 -  patient and his/her relative consenting to participate in the study, or obtention of
 family consent in case of patient incompetency

 Exclusion criteria :

 - Patient without family available or family not speaking or understanding French"