All total, 296 medical or surgical patients were admitted to a non-intensive care unit hospital ward and enrolled in the study, of which 148 had contact precautions used on them. The researchers then reviewed the patients charts and categorized the adverse events that occurred during their stay as noninfectious, preventable and severe noninfectious, and infectious adverse.
Ultimately, the study revealed:
1. A total of 104 (35.1 percent) patients experienced at least one adverse event during their hospital stay.
2. Hospital patients on contact precautions were less likely to experience noninfectious adverse events during their stay than patients not on contact precautions. Contact precautions were also linked with fewer severe adverse events, although the difference was not statistically significant.
3. Preventable adverse events did not differ considerably between patients on contact precautions and patients not on contact precautions.
More articles on contact precautions:
What tops nurses’ rank of most important, most frequently missed infection prevention practices?
University of Maryland examines benefits, drawbacks of contact precautions
Most healthcare workers improperly remove protective equipment
At the Becker's 11th Annual IT + Revenue Cycle Conference: The Future of AI & Digital Health, taking place September 14–17 in Chicago, healthcare executives and digital leaders from across the country will come together to explore how AI, interoperability, cybersecurity, and revenue cycle innovation are transforming care delivery, strengthening financial performance, and driving the next era of digital health. Apply for complimentary registration now.
