1. [Children visiting intensive care units and emergency departments : Kids are welcome!]
- Author
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Brauchle, Maria, Deffner, Teresa, Brinkmann, Alexander, Dehner, Svenja, Dubb, Rolf, Finkeldei, Simon, Gatzweiler, Birga, Hermes, Carsten, Heyd, Christian, Hoffmann, Magdalena, Jeitziner, Marie-Madlen, Kaltwasser, Arnold, Kern, Tita, Knochel, Kathrin, Krüger, Lars, Melching, Heiner, Michels, Guido, Müller-Wolff, Tilmann, Pelz, Sabrina, Rudolph, Julian, Schindele, Denise, Seidlein, Anna-Henrikje, Simon, Arne, Ufelmann, Marina, and Nydahl, Peter
- Subjects
610 Medicine & health - Abstract
In this white paper, key recommendations for visitation by children in intensive care units (ICU; both pediatric and adult), intermediate care units and emergency departments (ED) are presented. In ICUs and EDs in German-speaking countries, the visiting policies for children and adolescents are regulated very heterogeneously: sometimes they are allowed to visit patients without restrictions in age and time duration, sometimes this is only possible from the age of teenager on, and only for a short duration. A request from children to visit often triggers different, sometimes restrictive reactions among the staff. Management is encouraged to reflect on this attitude together with their employees and to develop a culture of family-centered care. Despite limited evidence, there are more advantages for than against a visit, also in hygienic, psychosocial, ethical, religious, and cultural aspects. No general recommendation can be made for or against visits. The decisions for a visit are complex and require careful consideration.
- Published
- 2023
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