Patient experience of source isolation: lessons for clinical practice

Area of Science:

• Infectious Diseases
• Healthcare Quality and Safety
• Patient Experience

Background:

• Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) is a leading antimicrobial-resistant organism globally.
• Preventing MRSA spread in healthcare settings is crucial for infection control teams.
• Standard and Additional Precautions, including isolation, are vital but can affect patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the literature on patient experiences with source isolation for MRSA and other infectious diseases.
• To identify key themes and challenges associated with patient isolation in healthcare.
• To inform strategies for improving patient care during isolation.

Main Methods:

• Literature review of studies on patient experience with source isolation.
• Analysis of five interconnected themes: psychological effects, coping, social isolation, communication, and environment.
• Synthesis of findings to understand both negative and positive aspects of isolation.

Main Results:

• Patient isolation can lead to negative psychological effects like anxiety, stress, and depression.
• Isolation may result in reduced or substandard care for patients.
• Some patients benefit from the privacy and quietness of single rooms during isolation.

Conclusions:

• Healthcare professionals must actively seek ways to enhance the patient experience during isolation and contact precautions.
• Improvements in the physical environment and patient's sense of control can mitigate negative impacts.
• Adequate information provision is essential for improving patient well-being during isolation.