Rabaul,

In the US, there is much more liberal visitation policies than you present. As a family member of a recent surgical patient, I could not imagine being separated from my loved one during the hospital stay. Continued family presence improves monitoring of the patient. When there is an adverse outcome, the family is well aware of the care rendered and removes the mythical scenarios. 

Concerns of infection are real when family is visibly dirty or sick. In these cases, separation is indicated.

Regards,

Christopher

Davidson, J. E., Powers, K., Hedayat, K. M., Tieszen, M., Kon, A. A., Shepard, E., ... & Ghandi, R. (2007). Clinical practice guidelines for support of the family in the patient-centered intensive care unit: American College of Critical Care Medicine Task Force 2004–2005. Critical care medicine, 35(2), 605-622.

Azoulay, E., Pochard, F., Kentish-Barnes, N., Chevret, S., Aboab, J., Adrie, C., ... & Fassier, T. (2005). Risk of post-traumatic stress symptoms in family members of intensive care unit patients. American journal of respiratory and critical care medicine, 171(9), 987-994.

Sidani, S. (2008). Effects of patient-centered care on patient outcomes: An evaluation. Research and Theory for Nursing Practice, 22(1), 24-37.

Thanks, Christopher.

We are still in a taboo regarding infection, may be....

During my past nine years in a private hospital, I've adopted open policy and have noticed positive and negative aspects. While,  it improved doctor's relation with the attendant's complain against paramedics, supportive staffs increased disproportionately necessitating my intervention and mitigation. Many patients felt disturbed by the noise and movement of other patients attendants. Still, I prfer open policy for postoperative patients.