Patients with multi-drug-resistant organisms feel inadequately informed about their status: adverse effects of contact isolation. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Gaube, S.; Däumling, S.; Biebl, I.; Rath, A.; Caplunik-Pratsch, A.; Schneider-Brachert, W.
• Is Part Of: Journal of hospital infection. Volume 133(2023)
• Page Start: 89
• Page End: 94
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Contact isolation -- Effect on patients -- Mental health -- Well-being -- MDRO -- Matched case–control study; Cross infection -- Periodicals; Cross infection -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Periodicals; Nosocomial infections -- Prevention -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- Periodicals; Cross Infection -- prevention & control -- Periodicals; Infection Control -- Periodicals; Electronic journals; 614.44
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jhin.2022.11.021
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0195-6701

Abstract

Summary: Background: Contact isolation of patients with multi-drug-resistant organisms (MDROs) is an essential element of infection prevention strategies in hospitals worldwide. However, this practice may be associated with adverse side effects on patients' health and well-being. Aim: This study was the first to assess mental health and well-being variables among isolated patients compared with non-isolated control patients in a German cohort. Methods: We conducted a matched case–control study among N = 267 patients admitted to a tertiary care teaching hospital in Germany. Their levels of anxiety, depression, loneliness, and dissatisfaction with their hospital experience were assessed using a questionnaire. Additionally, among isolated patients, it was evaluated how well they felt informed about their MDRO status. Findings: In our cohort, patients under contact isolation were significantly more dissatisfied than non-isolated control patients but did not show higher levels of anxiety, depression, and loneliness. A large proportion of patients felt insufficiently informed about their MDRO status. This lack of information was the strongest predictor of dissatisfaction among isolated patients. Conclusion: These findings underline the importance of adequate patient communication. It is essential for patients' well-being to receive timely, relevant, and understandable information about the background and consequences of their infection or colonisation with MDROs.