Healthcare and Drugs: Updates and Developments. - Kids shouldn't be discounted from visiting ICUs.
It's important to break the stigma surrounding visits to pediatric intensive care units. The German Interdisciplinary Association for Intensive and Emergency Medicine (DIVI) in Berlin believes that these visits can be beneficial for both the child and the patient. The DIVI has released guidelines on visiting pediatric intensive care units, stating that "Children can handle visits well if they are informed appropriately for their age."
There's no increased risk of infection from children. In fact, the DIVI cautions against avoiding visits, as lack of contact with a sick family member could exacerbate children's fear and anxiety.
For years, visits from siblings to pediatric intensive care units, like "neonatal stations," have been common. Christoph Bühler, President of the Society for Neonatology and Pediatric Intensive Care Medicine, says, "Sibling children tend to be very open about the situation, even if the reason for hospitalization is quite serious."
Every year on June 17, we celebrate International Intensive Care Day, initiated to raise awareness about the work done on intensive care units.
DIVI Recommendations: https://www.divi-germany.org/de/presse/pressemitteilungen/detail/kindbesuche-auf-intensivstationen-koennen-vorteile-bringen/
