engleski

Safety of patients under contact measures from adverse events

Background: Patient safety is becoming an increasingly important part of the healthcare process worldwide. With the appearance of new, multi- and pan-resistant microorganisms, control and prevention of healthcare-associated infections (HCAI) is becoming one of the most important components of patient safety concerns. Discussion: Due to antibiotic resistance, lack of new antibiotics and the possibility of spread among the patients, contact isolation measures for patients colonized/infected with multidrug resistant microorganisms are still the basis of prevention and control of HCAI, which are considered adverse events. One of important questions today is also how contact isolation measures affect the patients to whom they are applied. The results of all studies uniformly showed that contact measures lead to twice the incidence of adverse events, especially those that can be prevented such as falls, pressure ulcers, electrolyte and fluid disorders, errors in prescribing anticoagulant and insulin therapy. Another important aspect is the impact of contact isolation measures on the psychological being of patients, leading more often to depression, anxiety, fear and anger, more common when patients are insufficiently informed. Patients in contact isolation have also been shown to have fewer and shorter contacts with healthcare staff, their hospital stay is longer and satisfaction with the treatment process is lesser. However, health professionals' adherence to hand hygiene and prevention of HCAI is better. Studies to this date have not shown the negative impact of contact isolation measures on the final treatment outcome. Conclusion: Contact isolation measures are often one of the main procedures in control of the spread of HCAI today. It is necessary to make a good assessment when to apply them, to ensure that patients in isolation receive appropriate treatment and care, but also information, and to provide a sufficient number of staff. Contact isolation measures must not become isolation from contacts.

contact isolation, patient safety, adverse event

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