Source isolation and patient wellbeing in healthcare settings

Multi-resistant bacteria pose an increasing and significant challenge to public health. Isolation precautions in patients with multi-drug-resistant bacteria and other communicable infectious agents can be associated with adverse effects. Although few would dispute the need for such practices in preventing the spread of transmissible infections, patients' perspectives of isolation suggest that the imposed environment creates barriers to their physical, social and emotional needs. This article reviews the literature to uncover any reliable evidence supporting the assertion that the experience of isolation in healthcare settings impacts adversely on patient wellbeing. Database searches identified 25 relevant papers published between 1990 and 2017. A number of studies claimed to have uncovered an association between negative patient experiences and isolation.