ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: In 2020, the COVID-19 pandemic required health care organizations throughout the United States to implement strict visitor restriction policies to mitigate the spread of the virus. These policy changes had a direct impact on family presence (FP) in hospital settings. PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to conduct a concept analysis of FP during the COVID-19 pandemic. METHODS: Walker and Avant's 8-step method was used. RESULTS: Four defining attributes of FP during COVID-19 were derived based on a review of the literature: being there or with, seeing is believing, during challenging times, and subjective advocates. The COVID-19 pandemic was the main antecedent of the concept. The consequences and empirical referents were discussed. Model, borderline, and contrary cases were developed. CONCLUSION: This concept analysis provided an understanding of the concept of FP during COVID-19, which is imperative to optimizing patient care outcomes, as literature identified a support person or system as an extension of the care team that facilitates successful care management. Whether by advocating for their patients to have a support person present during team rounds, or by stepping in as the patient's main support system in the absence of family, nurses must find a way to do what is best for their patients even during the unprecedented times of a global pandemic.
