Identifying a Researchable Problem: Open Visits in the NICUAccording to ASHA, Evidence-Based Practice is the combination of clinical expertise opinion, data and patient perspectives, with the aim of providing high quality results. quality services (2013). The process of evidence-based practice involves formulating a research question, gathering evidence including perspectives, and then evaluating the entire process. This project presents my chosen research topic, which identifies a researchable problem and formulates an answerable question that is relevant to nursing practice and based on evidence. family and friends play an active role in the patient's care. Typically, patients in intensive care are seriously ill and are often at the end of their lives. The presence of family and friends in these circumstances is essential to create the most comfortable and therapeutic environment for the patient. Studies have shown the benefit to patients when support and positive reinforcement from family and friends is present. Furthermore, a randomized controlled trial found that an unrestricted ICU visitation policy is associated with a reduction in cardiocirculatory complications, likely because visits reduce patient anxiety and promote a more favorable hormonal profile (Berti , Ferdinande, Moons, 2007). Among the medical teams in the ICU there is a conviction of opposition to the opening of the unit and the authorization of the presence of family members at the patient's bedside. The reasons for their convictions are: • Possible increased risk of infections for the patient and visitors. • Interference with patient care. • Increase in the number of patients and their family/friends.... middle of article......ASHA References. (2013). Evidence-based practice. Retrieved from American Speech-Language-hearingAssociation: http://www.asha.org/members/ebp/Berti. D., Ferdinande. P., Moons. P., (2007). Critical care nurses' beliefs and attitudes toward visiting and the open visiting policy. Intensive Care Med 33:1060-1065. Retrieved from DOI 10.1007/s00134-007-0599-xBerwick. D., Kotagal. M., (2004). Restricted visiting hours in intensive care units: it’s time for change. American Medical Association 292(6). 736. Retrieved from http//waldenulibrary.eduDavies, K. (2011). Formulating the evidence-based practice question: A review of frameworks. Evidence-Based Library and Information Practice 6(2), 75-80. Retrieved from http://ejournals.library.ualberta.ca/index.php/EBLIP/article/viewFile/9741/8144