Patient Experience on a Hospital Oncology Service Before and After Implementation of a No-Visitor Policy During COVID-19

Kenyon C. Bolton MD, MA; Michael Lawler BS; Jennifer Hauptman MSW, LICSW; Marissa Madden RN; Stephen G. DeVoe MPH, MS; Amanda G. Kennedy PharmD, BCPS; Bradley J. Tomkins MPH, MS; Naomi M. Hodde MD

doi:10.1177/23743735211034620

Journal of Patient Experience (Jul 2021)

Patient Experience on a Hospital Oncology Service Before and After Implementation of a No-Visitor Policy During COVID-19

Kenyon C. Bolton MD, MA,
Michael Lawler BS,
Jennifer Hauptman MSW, LICSW,
Marissa Madden RN,
Stephen G. DeVoe MPH, MS,
Amanda G. Kennedy PharmD, BCPS,
Bradley J. Tomkins MPH, MS,
Naomi M. Hodde MD

Affiliations

Kenyon C. Bolton MD, MA: The University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, USA
Michael Lawler BS: The Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
Jennifer Hauptman MSW, LICSW: The University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, USA
Marissa Madden RN: The University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT, USA
Stephen G. DeVoe MPH, MS: Department of Medicine Quality Program, The Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
Amanda G. Kennedy PharmD, BCPS: Department of Medicine Quality Program, The Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
Bradley J. Tomkins MPH, MS: Department of Medicine Quality Program, The Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA
Naomi M. Hodde MD: The Robert Larner, MD College of Medicine, The University of Vermont, Burlington, VT, USA

DOI: https://doi.org/10.1177/23743735211034620
Journal volume & issue: Vol. 8

Abstract

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Hospital visitor restriction policies prompted by Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) may lead to a less comfortable or informed inpatient experience for oncology patients admitted for non-COVID-19 conditions. We surveyed oncology inpatients before (n = 47) and after (n = 65) implementation of a no-visitor policy using a validated questionnaire to measure patient experience. Results revealed no significant difference in the percentage of patients reporting “no problems” ( P < .05) in all questions. Patient experience was not adversely impacted by visitor restrictions enacted in response to COVID-19 on an oncology service, as measured by a questionnaire capturing common concerns among inpatients.

Published in Journal of Patient Experience

ISSN: 2374-3735 (Print); 2374-3743 (Online)
Publisher: SAGE Publishing
Country of publisher: United States
LCC subjects: Medicine: Medicine (General)
Website: https://journals.sagepub.com/home/jpx

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