Why don't hospitals allow friends to visit patients in the intensive care unit?

It's never been an issue for me, and hopefully it won't ever be. But I'm curious why hospitals only allow family members in the ICU and not close friends or boyfriends/girlfriends. What if the patient really wants that kind of visit?

It can be stressful for the patient & disruptive to other patients if there are too many people, so usually they will only allow family. Sometimes the patient doesn't want people other than family to see them in this conditon, so hopitals will try to accomodate them.

It might depend on the hospital's policy, but our hospital made an exception when my dad was in intensive care because we left a written note with the ICU nurse that it was ok to let anyone in that wanted to see him, to come & see him. We provided a sign in book, & had visitors sign in when they visited.

My hospital allows anyone to visit in the ICU at ANY hour. Although only 2 people can go back at a time.

(unless the patient is dying and people have been called in.. then they can have a larger group in the room as long as they behave themselves)

If the patient is in the ICU then any visit can be a strain on the patient as well as interfering in the extra care the patient requires. Allowing more than family members then increases the burden placed on the patient and staff.

If the patient requests exactly who, they may let them in. The reason for other friends is bcause the room would become too crowded.

Like the other two said, the hospital near me allows anyone back there, but only a limited number of people. I'm sure if the patient made a request that a certain friend be allowed to see him/her, it would be okay, but I'm not sure. Take care!