Supplementary Table 1.

Qualitative table

Aggregate dimensions	Themes	Codes
1. Satisfaction of participants	Satisfaction of physicians and staff	UVP doctor 8: “UVP decreases doctor's responsibility and the treatment remains transparent” UVP nurse 15: “In restricted visitation, relatives may blame the staff in case the patient becomes suddenly ill”
	Overall satisfaction of family and improved communication with family and patient	UVP doctor 1: “In UVP, multiple numbers of relatives may become violent, relatives can see whether appropriate treatment is being given or not” UVP doctor 4: “Patients need relatives for communication as they may not be able to express themselves” UVP doctor 6: “Sense of suspicion of anything undue being done in the ICU is not there if relatives are nearby” UVP doctor 8: “In UVP, attendants are in constant touch with the patient so they know patient's condition” UVP nurse 3: “In UVP, relatives know the change in status” UVP nurse 4: “In UVP, relatives are satisfied that the treatment is given” UVP nurse 5: “In UVP, relatives can meet the doctor and know the progress of the patient, they can see patient's progress or deterioration” UVP nurse 6: “In UVP, relatives can see that the treatment is being given” UVP nurse 7: “In UVP, relatives rest assured that the treatment is given to the patient” UVP nurse 8: “In UVP, attendants see that the care being given” UVP nurse 10: “In UVP, patients condition is known whether improving or worsening” UVP nurse 11: “In UVP, relatives are aware of the ongoing treatment, medicines given and procedures done on their patients” UVP nurse 12: “In UVP, relatives know about the condition of the patient, can see whether medication is given or not and are kept informed about patient's condition” UVP nurse 13: “In UVP, attendants know what treatment is being given or procedure done” UVP nurse 14: “In RVP, relatives may not trust the staff” UVP, nurse 15: “In UVP, relatives help in the communication of patient with the staff. In RVP, there is a lack of trust in the staff and the relatives may blame the staff if the patient becomes sick” RVP nurse 5: “Patients do not feel homesick when relatives are around” UVP family 1: “In UVP, there is emotional support to the patients and their family, else the patients will get bored” UVP family 2: “In UVP, we come to know the condition of the patient and we can talk to the doctors, we are satisfied that our patient is been taken care of. In RVP, we won't know if medicines have been given to our patient or not” UVP family 3: “In UVP, we are satisfied that we are with our patient in this difficult time, we can see that our medicines are being used on our patient and our patient is being taken care of” UVP family 4: “In UVP, we come to know regarding the improvement of our patient” UVP family 5: “In UVP, we are satisfied that treatment is continued and medicines are being given” UVP family 6: “In UVP, we are satisfied that they are taking care of the patient. We can come to know our patient's condition and can explain it to the rest of the family” UVP family 7: “We are satisfied that we are taking care of our loved one, we come to know our patient's condition” UVP family 8: “In UVP, increases satisfaction of the patient and family, we are kept updated about our patient's condition” UVP family 9: “We are kept updated about patient's condition” UVP family 10: “In UVP, emotional satisfaction and hope for the family is more, we are satisfied that medicines are being given” UVP family 11: “In UVP, we can see that the treatment is going on, that our patient is getting better or worse. We are satisfied that our medicines are being used on our patients. In RVP, we won't know the condition of our patient” UVP family 12: “We can take care of our patients” UVP family 13: “We can take care of our patients. In RVP, we won't know the condition of our patient” RVP family 3: “In RVP, family apprehension is always there” RVP family 6: “We stay updated about patient's status” RVP patient 4: “In UVP, family will be more satisfied” RVP patient 5: “In UVP, family will be more satisfied”
	Overall satisfaction of patient	UVP doctor 7: “In UVP, there is good emotional support to the patient” UV doctor 8: “In UVP, patients will be less anxious if relatives are nearby” RVP doctor 1: “Relatives provide moral support to the patient” UVP, nurse 5: “Patients agree to what the family members say, better than the strangers” RVP nurse 2: “In RVP, patients may feel lonely” RVP nurse 4: “Relatives increase psychological support of the patients” RVP nurse 5: “Patients don't feel homesick” RVP nurse 8: “Patients are more comfortable with the family members” UVP family 2: “Patients do not feel alone” UVP family 6: “In UVP, patients are less anxious as relatives are nearby. Relatives improve the willpower of the patient” UVP family 7: “Relatives increase the moral support of the patients” UVP family 8: “Relatives increase the moral support of the patients” UVP family 10: “Relatives increase the moral support of the patients” UVP family 12: “Family provides emotional support to the patients” RVP family 4: “Family members provide emotional support to the patient. In RVP, there is no moral support for the patient” RVP family 5: “Family members can fulfill patient's requirements, patient's stress will be less” RVP family 6: “Family provides emotional support to the patient” RVP family 7: “Family provides emotional support to the patient” RVP family 8: “Family provides moral support to the patient” UVP patient 1: “Family offers moral support to the and we feel better” UVP patient 2: “Family offers psychological support and we feel better” UVP patient 5: “Relatives can fulfill our small needs” UVP patient 6: “Family provides us moral support. In RVP, patients may feel scared” RVP patient 7: “In RVP, we can share our problems and we have moral support” RVP patient 4: “In RVP, there is no emotional support for the patient” RVP patient 6: “In RVP, patients feel lonely”
2. Sharing of staff workload	Provision of basic care	RVP doctor 3: “In UVP, relatives can help nursing staff, chances of ICU psychosis will be less with relatives around” RVP doctor 6: “In RVP, relatives can take care of the patients in psychosis” UVP nurse 3: “Relatives help in changing position in heavy patients” UVP nurse 6: “In UVP, relatives encourage patients for physiotherapy” UVP nurse 7: “In UVP, relatives can take care of their patient if the nurse is UVP nurse 8: In case of prolonged stays, relatives learn to do suctioning and administer NG feeds in preparation for home care. UVP nurse 14: “In UVP, relatives take care of the patient if the busy with the other sick patient” RVP nurse 3: “Relatives can help in caring” RVP family 5: “Nurses’ workload will be less” UVP patient 3: “Relatives can take care of the patient” RVP patient 9: “Relatives can feed the patient”
	Relatives help with patient monitoring	UVP doctor 3: “They make you aware of small changes in patient status like ventilator disconnections” RVP doctor 3: “Relatives can monitor the patient” UVP nurse 7: “In UVP, they inform small changes in patient status” UVP nurse 12: “Relatives help in monitoring the patients” RVP nurse 1: “Relatives help in monitoring” RVP nurse 3: “Relatives can prevent injury and fall” UVP family 5: “In UVP, we can monitor the patient and inform subtle changes”
	As a restraint alternative	UVP doctor 6: “Presence of family member reduces the need for pharmacological sedation and analgesia during weaning from mechanical ventilation” RVP doctor 1: “Relatives can hold violent patients”UVP nurse 2: “Relatives can hold the patients” UVP nurse 3: “Relatives help to hold the patients” UVP nurse 5: “Relatives can hold a violent patient and prevent patient injury” UVP nurse 8: “Relatives help to hold restless patients” UVP nurse 9: “In UVP, attendants hold the restless patients and prevent the patient from injury” UVP nurse 14: “Relatives help in holding violent patients” RVP nurse 3: “Relatives prevent injury or fall. In RVP, it is difficult for staff to manage the patients in psychosis alone” RVP nurse 10: “Relatives hold the patients in psychosis”
	Physical help	UVP doctor 3: Relatives help in bringing medication UVP nurse 1: “Relatives can be of great help in bringing the medication in case of an emergency” UVP nurse 2: “Relatives can be of great help in bringing the medication in case of an emergency” UVP nurse 7: “Restricted visitation requires more manpower and 1:1 nursing ratio” UVP nurse 9: “Restricted visitation requires more manpower and 1:1 nursing ratio” UVP patient 4: “Relatives can bring medication”
3. Outcome for patient recovery	Risk of infections	UVP doctor 1: “In UVP, multiple numbers of relatives increases the risk of infections” UVP doctor 2: “In UVP, there is a higher risk of infections” UVP doctor 3: “In UVP, higher risk of infections with multiple numbers of relatives” UVP doctor 4: “In UVP, there may be higher risk of infections” UVP doctor 7: “ICU with RVP may have fewer infections”. RVP doctor1: “Presence of relatives in ICU increases the incidence of infections” RVP doctor 2: “In RVP, there are fewer chances of infections” RVP doctor 5: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” UVP nurse 1: “Presence of relatives increases the risk of infections” UVP nurse 3: “There are increased chances of infections with UVP” UVP nurse 4: “Unrestricted visitation leads to a higher rate of infections which prolong ICU stay and increases the cost of treatment” UVP nurse 5: “There is increased risk of infections with UVP and hence increased cost of treatment, we can concentrate more on work in RVP” UVP nurse 9: “Relatives can increase the risk of infections” UVP nurse 10: “Relatives increase the risk of infections” UVP nurse 12: “UVP increases infection rates” UVP nurse 13: “There is increased risk of infections with UVP” UVP nurse 15: “Presence of relatives increases infection rates” RVP nurse 4: “In RVP, there is better infection control” RVP nurse5: In RVP, there are lesser chances of infection” RVP nurse 8: “In RVP, there are fewer chances of infections” RVP nurse 9: “In RVP, there are fewer chances of infection” RVP nurse 11: “Restricted visitation leads to lesser chances of infection” RVP nurse 14: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” UVP family 3: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” UVP family 4: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” UVP family 5: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” RVP family 4: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” RVP family 6: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” RVP family7: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” RVP family 8: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” RVP family 11: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections” RVP patient 4: “In UVP, there are increased chances of infections”
	Disorganization of essential treatment and care	UVP doctor 3: “In UVP, relatives tend to interfere with our prescribed treatment. And counseling has to be done multiple numbers of times.” In RVP, “working will be more regulated” RVP doctor 2: “In RVP, working is not hampered” RVP doctor 5: “In UVP, relatives ask unnecessary questions and disturb patient management”RVP doctor6: “Discussions in medical terminology may be misinterpreted by the relatives” RVP nurse 9: “If relatives are around, staff has to answer multiple questions, which interrupt care” UVP nurse 1: “Increased time and effort is spent in regulating the relatives, relatives interfere with treatment and nursing care” UVP nurse 2: “In UVP, relatives interfere with nursing care. In restricted visitation, work is more regulated” UVP nurse 3: “Relatives interfere with treatment and care and we have to explain the condition repeatedly” UVP nurse 5: “Relatives interfere with treatment and care” UVP nurse 6: “Multiple relatives ask same questions” UVP nurse 7: “Multiple relatives ask same questions and interfere with care” UVP nurse 9: “Relatives hinder in the treatment by asking same questions” UVP nurse 10: “Relatives disturb the staff by asking same questions again and again and interfere with care” UVP nurse 12: “Relatives interrupt during care” UVP nurse 14: “Relatives interfere with care” RVP nurse 2: “Relatives interfere with our work” RVP nurse 3: “In RVP, there is no interference in treatment and staff can concentrate on their work” RVP nurse 4: “Relatives interfere with treatment” RVP nurse 9: “Multiple relatives come and ask the same questions and we have to answer” RVP nurse 10: “Relatives interrupt in our work” RVP nurse 11: “Relatives interfere with prescribed treatment” RVP nurse 12: “Nurses can properly devote time to patient care if relatives are not around” RVP nurse 13: “Relatives interfere with our work” RVP nurse 14: “Relatives interrupt care, multiple relatives ask same questions” RVP patient 2: “Relatives disturb the staff” RVP patient 8: “Relatives interfere with nurses and doctor's work”
	Patient rest opportunities	RVP doctor 2: “In RVP, patients can take rest properly” UVP nurse 9: “Relatives disturb the patient and do not allow them to rest” UVP nurse 10: “Relatives disturb the patients” RVP nurse 4: “In RVP, there is better patient rest” RVP nurse 5: “Relatives do not get proper rest” RVP nurse 7: “In UVP, there is inadequate patient rest” RVP nurse 12: “In UVP, there is decreased patient rest” RVP doctor 3: “Patients can take rest properly in unrestricted visitation” UVP doctor 3: “Patients will be more comfortable without the relatives” UVP family 1: “Multiple relatives will disturb the patient” UVP family 3: “In UVP, patients get disturbed” RVP family 11: “In UVP, patient is disturbed” RVP patient 3: “In RVP, patients get adequate rest” RVP patient 10: “In UVP, there is increased disturbance to the patient”
	Improved care	UVP doctor 7: “In UVP, patient care is better as the staff remains on their toes” RVP family 8: “In UVP, there is faster patient recovery”
4. ICU decorum	ICU decorum	UVP doctor 2: In UVP, “patient confidentiality is hampered” UVP doctor 6: In UVP, “in case of a mishap, agitation of one attendant may influence the other attendants” UVP doctor 7: “In case a medical error occurs, patients relatives will know and get agitated” UVP doctor 7: “Relatives take pictures of the records and confidential things can leak out” RVP doctor 1: “Relatives create chaos in the unit” UVP nurse 1: “Relatives keep checking files and argue with staff” UVP nurse 2: “Relatives keep checking reports and files and argue with staff” UVP nurse 4: “In UVP, there are more chances of increased violence and agitation among the relatives” UVP nurse 5: “Frustrated relatives may become violent” UVP nurse 12: “Relatives increase the noise in the unit, relatives can create panic in the unit” UVP nurse 13: “In RVP, working environment would be calm” UVP nurse 14: “Relatives keep looking at other beds” UVP nurse 15: “There may be increased violence and agitation among the family” RVP nurse 8: “Privacy of the patient is maintained in unrestricted visitation” RVP nurse 9: “Nurses cannot give personal care in front of family members” UVP family 5: “In UVP, one attendant is influenced by other attendants” RVP patient 3: “Presence of relatives increases crowding of the unit” RVP patient 5: “Presence of relatives increases crowding in the unit” RVP patient 8: “Presence of relatives increases crowding in the unit”
5. Stress levels of stakeholders	Stress levels of HCWs, family members, and patients	UVP doctor 2: “In UVP, bedside discussions might be misinterpreted” UVP doctor 8: “In UVP. there is increased work pressure on staff and doctors and increased violence” RVP, doctor 2: “Relatives are anxious and stressed as they felt out of touch with their patient” RVP doctor 6: “In RVP, relatives panic even on minor fluctuations in vitals” RVP nurse 8: “In RVP, relatives do not have to suffer” RVP nurse 9: “In UVP, staff may hesitate to work in front of relatives. In RVP, attendants may not have sufficient time to stay and can go home” RVP nurse 13: “Relatives panic on seeing sick patients. The presence of relatives increases the stress of patients” RVP, patient 1: “Relatives are free to do their work” RVP family 2: “Restricted visitations cause less stress to the patient” RVP family 4: “The family members have to leave work and come so in RVP, there is less disturbance to the family” RVP patient 1: “In UVP, sitting by my side will waste their time, In RVP, they are free to do their work” RVP patient 2: “In RVP, family is free to do their work” RVP patient 4: “Family's routine gets disrupted”