Patient isolation for infection control and patient experience (original) (raw)

2018, Infection Control & Hospital Epidemiology

ObjectiveHospitalized patients placed in isolation due to a carrier state or infection with resistant or highly communicable organisms report higher rates of anxiety and loneliness and have fewer physician encounters, room entries, and vital sign records. We hypothesized that isolation status might adversely impact patient experience as reported through Hospital Consumer Assessment of Healthcare Providers and Systems (HCAHPS) surveys, particularly regarding communication.DesignRetrospective analysis of HCAHPS survey results over 5 years.SettingA 1,165-bed, tertiary-care, academic medical center.PatientsPatients on any type of isolation for at least 50% of their stay were the exposure group. Those never in isolation served as controls.MethodsMultivariable logistic regression, adjusting for age, race, gender, payer, severity of illness, length of stay and clinical service were used to examine associations between isolation status and “top-box” experience scores. Dose response to incre...