Hospitals rethink visitor policies for older patients

As hospitals prepare for an ongoing influx of patients with COVID-19, an AARP blog urges system leaders to rethink policies that isolate older patients from their caregivers. The authors argue such policies may do more harm than good, especially for patients with dementia, delirium or cognitive impairment. Advocate Aurora Health, based in Milwaukee, is among the hospitals working to balance infection control and providing person-centered care. AONL Immediate Past President Mary Beth Kingston, PhD, RN, who is chief nurse officer for the system, said Advocate Aurora Health responded to the challenge by deploying tablets and other technology to allow patients to communicate with loved ones; it also developed a virtual vigil program for families of the dying. Another approach the essay suggests: training family caregivers to don and doff personal protective equipment so they can visit loved ones in person. (AARP blog, 7/28/20)