TY - JOUR
T1 - Reengineering the patient's environment
T2 - Establishment of a “Red Box” to improve communications with patients on isolation precautions
AU - Malhotra, Prashant
AU - Khameraj, Aradhana
AU - Salim, Tanzila
AU - Armellino, Donna
AU - Wirostek, Susan
AU - Epstein, Marcia E.
AU - Farber, Bruce F.
N1 - Publisher Copyright:
© 2018 Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology, Inc.
PY - 2019/3
Y1 - 2019/3
N2 - Background: Hospitalized patients on isolation precautions are reported to have less frequent health care provider (HCP) visits owing to time required to don and doff personal protective equipment (PPE). Thus, placement on isolation precautions leads to negative patient perception and affects their care. Methods: A “Red Box” that extended 3 feet beyond the door was marked in 50 patient rooms of a tertiary care hospital and used for patient communication by HCPs without PPE. HCP and patient perceptions of the Red Box were studied via a survey and personal interviews. Compliance was also observed by “secret shoppers.” Rates of health care–associated infections (HAIs) were monitored. Results: Over a 1-year period, HCPs reported improved patient communication, utilization of time, and increased interactions. HCPs used the Red Box to communicate with patients 76% of the time. In 92% of the cases, HCPs remembered not to use PPE while in the Red Box and were observed 80% of the time using PPE when venturing beyond the Red Box. Patients reported improved frequency of HCP contact and satisfaction. HAIs in these units did not show any increase compared with those in prior years. Conclusions: HCP interaction and communication with patients on isolation precautions improved with the reengineering of the patient environment in the form of the Red Box. HAI rates did not increase with this intervention.
AB - Background: Hospitalized patients on isolation precautions are reported to have less frequent health care provider (HCP) visits owing to time required to don and doff personal protective equipment (PPE). Thus, placement on isolation precautions leads to negative patient perception and affects their care. Methods: A “Red Box” that extended 3 feet beyond the door was marked in 50 patient rooms of a tertiary care hospital and used for patient communication by HCPs without PPE. HCP and patient perceptions of the Red Box were studied via a survey and personal interviews. Compliance was also observed by “secret shoppers.” Rates of health care–associated infections (HAIs) were monitored. Results: Over a 1-year period, HCPs reported improved patient communication, utilization of time, and increased interactions. HCPs used the Red Box to communicate with patients 76% of the time. In 92% of the cases, HCPs remembered not to use PPE while in the Red Box and were observed 80% of the time using PPE when venturing beyond the Red Box. Patients reported improved frequency of HCP contact and satisfaction. HAIs in these units did not show any increase compared with those in prior years. Conclusions: HCP interaction and communication with patients on isolation precautions improved with the reengineering of the patient environment in the form of the Red Box. HAI rates did not increase with this intervention.
KW - Health care–associated infection
KW - Infection prevention
KW - Patient safety
KW - Patient satisfaction
KW - Personal protective equipment
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U2 - 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.09.007
DO - 10.1016/j.ajic.2018.09.007
M3 - Article
C2 - 30413269
AN - SCOPUS:85055987558
SN - 0196-6553
VL - 47
SP - 264
EP - 267
JO - American Journal of Infection Control
JF - American Journal of Infection Control
IS - 3
ER -