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An Exploration of the Psychological Impact of Contact Isolation on Patients in Singapore

Soon, Mei Ling Margaret
http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1333637257

Abstract Details

2012, Doctor of Philosophy, Case Western Reserve University, Nursing.
Contact isolation has been recommended to control the spread of multiple drug resistant organisms (MDROs) among hospitalized patients. However, adverse effects of contact isolation such as higher incidences of preventable adverse events, lower patient satisfaction and higher levels of anxiety and depression among the isolated have been reported. The purpose of this study was to explore the psychological impact of contact isolation on patients who were infected or colonized with MDRO requiring contact isolation for the first time while in hospital. This research used a case-control design to compare the anxiety and depressive symptoms, and the quantity of contact by healthcare workers of those who were isolated (cases) with those who were not isolated (controls). A total of 20 cases and 20 matched controls participated in the study. There were no differences in the demographic characteristics, comorbidities, health status, and perceived social support between the cases and controls. However, the mean length of stay for the cases were significantly longer than for the controls. Results: Cases reported significantly higher levels of perceived stress (M=19.45, SD=4.98) compared to controls (M=14.45, SD=3.83). Cases also experienced higher levels of depression (t=3.731, p<.01) and anxiety (t=4.841, p<.001) compared to controls. In the 2-step hierarchical multiple regression, perceived social support was found to be negatively related to depressive symptoms (β = -.40, p=.01), while perceived stress was found to be positively related to anxiety symptoms (β = .36, p=.001). The majority of cases perceived that their care had decreased (80%) and that they were neglected (65%) when interviewed. They expressed anger, boredom, loneliness, fear, and the need for more information. Contact time between healthcare workers and cases was observed to be lower (508 minutes) when compared to that with controls (806 minutes). Doctors were observed to spend half the time with cases (188 minutes) than with controls (375 minutes). However, none of these differences in time was statistically significant due to the small sample size. These results highlight the need for policies to take into account the psychological impact of contact isolation.
Elizabeth Madigan (Committee Chair)
Katherine Jones (Committee Member)
Irena Kenneley (Committee Member)
Robert Salata (Committee Member)
187 p.
Nursing
Contact Isolation: stress appraisal; anxiety; depression

Recommended Citations

Citations

  • Soon, M. L. M. (2012). An Exploration of the Psychological Impact of Contact Isolation on Patients in Singapore [Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University]. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1333637257

    APA Style (7th edition)

  • Soon, Mei Ling Margaret. An Exploration of the Psychological Impact of Contact Isolation on Patients in Singapore. 2012. Case Western Reserve University, Doctoral dissertation. OhioLINK Electronic Theses and Dissertations Center, http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1333637257.

    MLA Style (8th edition)

  • Soon, Mei Ling Margaret. "An Exploration of the Psychological Impact of Contact Isolation on Patients in Singapore." Doctoral dissertation, Case Western Reserve University, 2012. http://rave.ohiolink.edu/etdc/view?acc_num=case1333637257

    Chicago Manual of Style (17th edition)

case1333637257
1,153
© 2012, all rights reserved.
This open access ETD is published by Case Western Reserve University School of Graduate Studies and OhioLINK.