The Effect of Family’s Scheduled Visitation on Vital Signs and Satisfaction Level of Patients Admitted to the Cardiac Care Unit: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Abstract

Background: Visiting the family can have a great impact on hospitalized patients. Investigation of these effects is necessary to provide better care for patients admitted to the cardiac care unit (CCU). Methods: This randomized clinical trial study was performed in the Golestan Hospital in Ahvaz, Iran, in 2021. Sixty-two CCU patients were randomly allocated to intervention and control groups. The scheduled family visit was performed twice a day, 60 minutes each time, for 3 days in the evening and night shifts for the intervention group. The routine family visit was used for the control group. Data were collected by a satisfaction questionnaire and a checklist on vital signs. Data were analyzed using the chi‑square, t-test, and generalized estimating equations (GEE). Results: In the intervention group, unlike the control group, there was a significant difference between the mean heart rate and systolic blood pressure of patients during different times (P < 0.000). Also, the level of satisfaction was higher in the intervention group than controls (P < 0.000). Conclusions: This study demonstrated that scheduled family visits not only did not interfere with patients' vital signs but also increased their satisfaction. Therefore, it is necessary to design appropriate visitation policies for patients admitted to the cardiac intensive care unit.