Terapia intensiva ‘aperta’ in fase pandemica Sars-CoV-2: esperienza di riapertura parziale delle visite dei familiari in una Terapia Intensiva del Nord Italia.

Abstract

. Open ICU in pandemic phase Sars-CoV-2: the partial reopening of family visits in an ICU in Northern Italy.

Introduction: During the Covid-19 pandemic, policies restricting family visits to health care facilities were commonly adopted, negatively impacting on patients, families and on the care team.

Aim: To describe the reorganisation of a 23-bed Intensive Care Unit in Northern Italy for partial reopening to visits during the pandemic.

Methods: The reorganisation involved several phases: I) feasibility analysis, II) thawing out resistances; III) identifying behavioural, IV) organisational and structural indications for family access in the Covid area; V) fostering communication to guarantee information and emotional support for family members and VI) assessing, through an anonymous questionnaire, the degree of agreement on the impact of the presence of family members on health care team, patient and perception of safety.

Results: The majority of the relatives felt that the visit at the patient's bedside had a beneficial effect and reduced their anxiety. Almost all family members felt protected from the Covid-19 infectious risk. Healthcare staff also felt that the presence of family members contributed positively to the relationship with the patient. No family members contracted the Covid-19 infection during the evaluation period.

Conclusions: Reopening access to family members during the Covid-19 period is possible, sustainable and beneficial. The use of flexible and motivational management principles by the coordinator were crucial in ensuring a family-centred approach during the pandemic.