Table 1 Visiting policies across the international contexts
Country | Date | Guidance |
|---|---|---|
UK | Pre-COVID-19 | Open visiting for all ICU patients |
March 2020 | UK Lockdown. One visitor at the end of life, visitor then follows COVID exposure guidelines and self isolates following the visit | |
July 2020 | One named designated visitor plus additional visitor at end of life | |
August 2020 | Two designated visitors plus additional visitor at end of life | |
September 2020 | End-of-life visiting only | |
April 2021 | One named visitor | |
July 2021 | Two visitors | |
August 2021 | Full person-centred visiting | |
January 2022 | End-of-life visiting only | |
March 2022 | One interchangeable visitor per day | |
May 2022 | Full patient-centred visiting | |
Spain COVID ICU | Pre-COVID-19 | 3 times a day (7:15–7:45; 13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), any visitor, maximum 2 at the same time. Exceptions were made depending on the patient |
March 2020 | No visitors allowed. Exceptions were made: one visitor at the end of life. Information was provided by phone | |
June 2020 | No visitors allowed. Exception included patients admitted for more than 8 weeks | |
November 2021 | One visitor 1 h (13 h or 20 h). Exceptions were made depending on the patient | |
May 2022 | 2 times a day (13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), one visitor. Exceptions were made depending on the patient | |
Spain Non-COVID ICU | Pre-COVID-19 | 3 times a day (7:15–7:45; 13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), any visitor, maximum 2 at the same time. Exceptions were made depending on the patient |
March 2020 | Spain Lockdown. One visitor at the end of life | |
April 2020 | One visitor 1 h (13 h or 20 h) | |
May 2021 | 2 times a day (13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), any visitor, maximum 2 at the same time in the room | |
July 2021 | One visitor 1 h (13 h or 20 h) | |
September 2021 | 2 times a day (13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), one visitor | |
October 2021 | 3 times a day (7:15–7:45; 13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), any visitor, maximum 2 at the same time. Exceptions were made depending on the patient | |
November 2021 | 2 times a day (13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), one visitor | |
December 2021 | One visitor 1 h (13 h or 20 h) | |
February 2022 | 2 times a day (13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), one visitor | |
May 2022 | 3 times a day (7:15–7:45; 13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), any visitor, maximum 2 at the same time. Exceptions were made depending on the patient | |
June 2022 | 2 times a day (13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), one visitor | |
September 2022 | 3 times a day (7:15–7:45; 13:00–14:00; 20:00–21:00), any visitor, maximum 2 at the same time. Exceptions were made depending on the patient | |
France | Pre-COVID-19 | Open visiting for all ICU patients |
March 2020 | France Lockdown: No visitors allowed in the hospital. Saint Louis ICU allows one visitor at the end of life. No waiting room | |
April 2020 | The ICU at St Louis decides to allow one visitor/patient/day. In end-of-life situations, more than one visitor allowed as long as the visitors do not come at the same time. No waiting room | |
June 2020 | Open visiting for all ICU patients during the day. However only one visitor at a time. No waiting room | |
October 2020 | Open visiting for all ICU patients as before COVID |