Efficacy of Virtual Visitation in ICU During COVID-19 Pandemic: The ICU Visits Randomized Controlled Trial.

Objectives: This study aimed to demonstrate the impact of virtual visits on the satisfaction of family members and the anxiety and depression of patients in the ICU during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Design: A single-center, randomized controlled trial.

Setting: This study was conducted from July 2021 to May 2022, in the Seoul National University Hospital.

Patients: A total of 40 patients eligible for virtual visitation whose Richmond Agitation-Sedation Scale score was -2 or above were recruited and randomized into virtual visitation and usual care groups.

Interventions: Virtual visitation began on the first day after ICU admission and continued until ICU discharge, lasting for a maximum of 7 days.

Measurements and main results: The primary outcome was the satisfaction level of the family members with care and decision-making in the ICU, assessed using the Family Satisfaction-ICU (FS-ICU) 24-survey questionnaire. Secondary outcomes included patient anxiety and depression levels assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), at the study enrollment after ICU admission and at the end of the study. After two patients were excluded due to clinical deterioration, 38 patients were ultimately analyzed, including 18 patients in the virtual visitation group and 20 patients in the usual care group. The FS-ICU 24 survey score was significantly higher in the virtual visitation group (89.1 ± 13.0 vs. 75.1 ± 17.7; p = 0.030). The reduction in HADS-Anxiety (59.4% vs. 15.39; p < 0.001) and HADS-Depression (64.5% vs. 24.2%; p < 0.001) scores between the two time points, from study enrollment after ICU admission to the end of the study was significantly larger in the virtual visitation group.

Conclusions: In the COVID-19 pandemic era, virtual visits to ICU patients helped reduce depression and anxiety levels of patients and increase the satisfaction of their family members. Enhancing access to virtual visits for family members and developing a consistent approach may improve the quality of care during another pandemic.