Multioccupancy hospital rooms: veterans' experiences and preferences

Although common, multioccupancy hospital rooms have long been criticized for concerns about safety and privacy. In 2006, despite limited evidence, the Health Guidelines Revision Committee recommended to eliminate them entirely from U.S. hospitals. We used a survey to evaluate patients' experiences and preferences regarding room type in order to help inform public policy decisions.

Medical service inpatients at the Washington DC Veterans Affairs Medical Center were asked upon discharge to complete an anonymous written survey containing questions about privacy, nursing availability, loneliness, fear of death, interactions with roommates, and room preferences.

Of the 162 patients who completed surveys, private room patients were more likely to report adequate privacy (92% vs. 53%; P < or = 0.01) and available nursing (79% vs. 64%; P = 0.025) than shared room patients. There was no difference in reported loneliness or fear of death. Most shared room patients (59%) indicated that they enjoyed speaking with their roommates, and 35% reported receiving help from roommates. The overall preference strongly favored private rooms (79%), most commonly for the sake of privacy. Patients who preferred shared rooms most often cited a desire for conversation.

Patients felt that privacy was inadequate in the shared rooms, and a strong preference was found for private rooms. For those who preferred shared rooms, positive aspects of the experience included exchange of conversation and assistance between roommates.