Healthcare workers generally feel a deep sense of
responsibility to patients for prevention of MRSA and other infections. But one study shows patients who are on
contact precautions receive fewer hourly visits and have less direct contact
time with healthcare workers than those who are not on contact precautions
(Siebert, Speroni, Oh, DeVoe, & Jacobsen, 2014). Working with patients in isolation is
reported by healthcare workers to be an on-the-job stressor and may impact the
level of care that our most vulnerable patients receive. Have you observed it to be true that patients
in isolation receive less frequent contact by healthcare workers? What might be some reasons why healthcare
workers pay less attention to patients in isolation? How do you think this
problem be addressed?
Siebert, D. J., Speroni, K. G., Oh,
K. M., DeVoe, M. C., & Jacobsen, K. H. (2014). Preventing transmission of
MRSA: A qualitative study of health care workers’ attitudes and suggestions. American
Journal of Infection Control 42, 405-411. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ajic.2013.10.008
Preventing transmission of MRSA: A qualitative study of health care workers’ attitudes and suggestions.
Hi Bryan,
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting post and disappointing to hear. Upon your review of the article shared was your team surprised by the results and are there any thoughts on how to minimize the reduced care and/or quality of care?
Thanks,
Sara
Hi Bryan,
ReplyDeleteThis was an interesting post and disappointing to hear. Upon your review of the article shared was your team surprised by the results and are there any thoughts on how to minimize the reduced care and/or quality of care?
Thanks,
Sara
Hi, Sara -
ReplyDeleteInitially this was a bit surprising, but considering health care workers general fear of catching something and taking it home to their family, and the amount of extra work associated with taking precautions, etc. I am really not surprised.
This would be somewhat an individual facility operations review, but in many cases providing one on one care to these patients could help increase the attention they receive, as well as placing them at facilities or with providers who are more experienced and comfortable in treating their conditions.