Open Visiting Policy and Delirium in Adult Patients in ICUs: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Clinical Trials
In brief
Flexible ICU family visits halved delirium in randomized trials
Across 13 trials involving 3,861 adults, flexible family presence was associated with about half as much delirium as restricted visiting, and slightly shorter mechanical ventilation. It did not change ICU stays, infections, or deaths. The evidence was low certainty and varied substantially across studies, so the size and reliability of these benefits remain uncertain.
- Journal
- Critical care medicine (Q1)
- Published
- 15 October 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review / meta-analysis of RCTs
- Evidence level
- Level 1, High (CEBM 1a)
- Authors
- Nicolò Sella, Tommaso Pettenuzzo, Andrea Bruni, Alessandro De Cassai, Sabrina Congedi, Francesco Monteleone, et al.
- PMID
- 42878614
- DOI
- 10.1097/CCM.0000000000007393
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Critical Care and Intensive Care Medicine (paper of the day, 18 October 2026): Open visiting policy reduces delirium in ICU
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: To critically evaluate the comparative effects of open or flexible family presence policies vs. restricted or traditional family presence policies on the occurrence of delirium and other major outcomes among adult patients admitted to ICUs. DATA SOURCES: We conducted a comprehensive electronic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Scopus, Web of Science, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from inception to November 21, 2025. STUDY SELECTION: We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) comparing open or flexible vs. restricted ICU visiting policies in adult patients. DATA EXTRACTION: The primary outcome extracted was delirium occurrence. Secondary outcomes included the duration of invasive mechanical ventilation (IMV), ICU length of stay, hospital-acquired infections, and ICU mortality. DATA SYNTHESIS: Thirteen RCTs comprising 3861 patients were included. Random-effects models showed that compared with restricted policies, open/flexible family presence reduced delirium occurrence (risk ratio [RR], 0.48; 95% CI, 0.29-0.81; low certainty) and IMV duration (mean difference [MD], -0.36 d; 95% CI, -0.46 to -0.26 d; low certainty). The intervention did not affect the ICU length of stay (MD, 4.21 d; 95% CI, -4.65 to 13.07 d; very low certainty), the rates of hospital-acquired infections (RR, 1.00; 95% CI, 0.81-1.23; low certainty), or ICU mortality (RR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.72-1.08; very low certainty). CONCLUSIONS: Open/flexible ICU family presence may reduce delirium and shorten the duration of IMV slightly, without increasing infections or ICU mortality, although the certainty of evidence is low and heterogeneity remains substantial.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.