EXPLORING THE PERCEPTIONS AND PRACTICES OF NURSES WORKING IN ADULT INTENSIVE CARE UNITS REGARDING CHILD VISITATION AND THE ROLE OF A CHILD LIFE SPECIALIST IN THIS SETTING

Abstract

There is little documented research within the United States regarding the issue of child visitation on adult intensive care units. Using an online cross-sectional survey, the current study explored perceptions and practices concerning child visitation and the role of a child life specialist based on response from 554 nurses working in adult intensive care units within the United States. Overall, 315 (69.8%) respondents felt that children were at risk for psychological trauma when visiting the adult intensive care unit. Study results showed significant associations between nurses' attitudes and behaviors regarding the visiting child's age. Nurses with a masters degree or higher were more likely than those with a bachelors degree or lower to allow young children (0-5 years old) to visit their adult loved ones in the intensive care unit. Child visits were more likely to be facilitated when the patient was the parent, in stable condition, or if the patient was dying. Nearly two-thirds of respondents reported that there are no child friendly resources available on their unit. While almost two-thirds of participants were unfamiliar with the child life profession, almost three-fourths were receptive to having a child life specialist on their unit. Implications to facilitate informed and consistent child visitation in adult ICUs are discussed for nurses, nursing educators, and child life specialists.