[Critically ill patient isolation: risk or protection?]

Area of Science:

• Critical Care Medicine
• Infectious Disease Control
• Patient Safety

Background:

• Isolation precautions are crucial for preventing the spread of multi-resistant microorganisms (MMR).
• However, their complex implementation may pose risks to patient safety.
• This study investigates the relationship between isolation precautions and patient safety incidents (PSIs) in critically ill patients.

Purpose of the Study:

• To determine if isolation precautions increase the risk of PSIs in critically ill patients.
• To analyze the types, severity, and preventability of PSIs during isolation periods.

Main Methods:

• Retrospective observational study of ICU patients requiring isolation for over 48 hours.
• Data collected from electronic medical records over a two-year period.
• Utilized Modular Review Form questionnaires to assess PSIs and adverse events (AEs).

Main Results:

• 76 patients included; 74 experienced at least one PSI.
• 798 PSIs detected, with 511 during isolation; 199 were adverse events.
• Most frequent PSIs involved medication and healthcare, with high preventability.

Conclusions:

• Patient safety incidents are common in ICUs and largely preventable.
• Isolation precautions were not found to be a risk factor for PSIs.
• Enhancing patient safety culture is vital for effective prevention strategies.