Can Infection Control Lift Visitation Restrictions in a Palliative Care Unit during the Coronavirus Disease 2019 Pandemic?

Abstract

To limit the spread of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), restrictions on visitation were implemented in palliative care units (PCUs) during the pandemic, requiring inpatients and their families to be separated. In July 2023, Saiseikai Utsunomiya Hospital lifted the restrictions on visiting in the PCU after implementing thorough infection control measures. During the study period (May 8, 2023 to September 17, 2023), 80 patients were admitted to the PCU, no COVID-19 cases were reported, and no visitors reported becoming infected after visitation. The average number of visitors per day during the first 2 months after restrictions were lifted was 23, with a median stay of 83 minutes per visit. The percentage of visitors who were relatives of inpatients was 89% after restrictions were lifted. The average bed utilization rate was 45% during the 2 months before the decision to lift the restrictions, and was 76% during the 2 months after restrictions were lifted, recovering to the pre-pandemic level. These results demonstrate that visiting restrictions in PCUs can be lifted without increasing the incidence of COVID-19 if thorough infection control measures are taken.