Understanding the Use of Patient Rooms to Inform Family Zone Implementation: A Qualitative Study.

Abstract

A family zone (FZ) is a portion of the patient room that visitors use to visit their loved one. The purpose of this study was to explore the experiences of patients, family and hospital staff to inform potential FZ implementation. Two focus groups (N = 17) were conducted using semi-structured interviews. Participants reported that family members assisted with patient care and engaged in positive social interactions while in the patient room, but physical design elements and organizational policies may act as barriers. Understanding the current use of and barriers to FZs can guide future implementation to maximize benefits for patient care.