Common Staff Beliefs and Concerns
About Family Presence
Below are some of the issues raised as reasons to
discourage family presence policy implementation
across hospital settings. The evidence suggests there
is no data to support these concerns.
• Infection control
– Family presence in adult critical care is not associated with
increased infection rates. (Adams et al, 2011)
• Patient safety
– Seven hospitals participating in Joint Commission project
reduced patient falls by 35% and injuries from falls by 62%.
Authors of study results attribute results to active roles of
patients and their families. (Dupree et al, 2014)
• Security
– After the first 9 months, there were no security events with
the introduction of a new Welcoming Policy at Contra
Costa Regional Medical Center.
• Needs of patients & families
– Family presence decreases anxiety and increases
satisfaction for patients and families. (AACN, 2011)
• Impact on staff roles
– Results of a 3-year UHF QI initiative testing involvement of
family caregivers in care transitions showed positive effects
on staff satisfaction and communication. (Levine et al,
2013)
Leadership Advice on Supporting Staff
The following strategies were used successful in
exemplar hospitals that have implemented family
presence policies and sustained them.
• Work groups were convened with patients, families,
and staff from every department.
• Leadership listened intently and engaged in
dialogue about the concerns of staff.
• Each department mapped out the steps needed
for a successful roll out, including what training was
necessary.
6917 Arlington Road U Suite 309 U Bethesda, MD 20814 U 301-652-0281 U www.ipfcc.org