112 * A CURTAIN AROUND A BED, NOT VERY PRIVATE IS IT?" THEMATIC ANALYSIS OF SURVEY RESPONSES OF MEDICAL PATIENTS IN SHARED COMPARED WITH SINGLE ACCOMMODATION

Abstract

Introduction: All newly built NHS hospitals must provide 50% side rooms minimum. This is based on benefits assumed from infection control and patient preference studies however there is little evidence base for non-elective medical and older populations. In 2011, the Kent & Sussex Hospital moved from open wards of up to 24 patients to the Tunbridge Wells Hospital, with 100% single rooms.Method: 700 recently discharged medical patients (all ages) were invited to participate in a postal survey study of dignity. 50% were recruited pre-move and 50% post-move. Each question asked for a scaled response and a free comment (former analysed separately). Two assessors undertook thematic analysis separately.Results: 364 comments analysed from 174 of 396 (44%) returned surveys. 68% comments were from those in single rooms. Categories identified are split into those that are universal and those predominating at one site.Loneliness: Exclusively seen in single room group.Dementia / Delirium: Focused towards staff understanding and more negative experiences. Prevalence of awareness with respect to decision-making noted.Timeliness: Especially management of pain/discomfort.Pain / Discomfort: Discomfort was understood to include positioning not just pain requiring medication.Independence: Enabling maintenance thereof.Audio Privacy: Curtains insufficient to maintain confidentiality and dignity.Common to both sitesOpen wardSingle roomsLow Staffing LevelsLack of audio privacyLonelinessPersonal CareDementia/DeliriumDignity/RespectTimeliness of CareCommunicationPain/Discomfort ControlPrivacyIndependenceConclusion: Potential benefits of side rooms should be balanced with disadvantages experienced by individual patients. L2 - Available from Oxford University Press in http://link.worldcat.org/?rft.institution_id=129756&spage=i31&pkgName=medcurr&issn=0002-0729&linkclass=to_article&jKey=ageing&issue=suppl_1&provider=OUP&date=2014-01-14&aulast=Heskett%2C+A.&atitle=112+A+CURTAIN+AROUND+A+BED%2C+NOT+VERY+PRIVATE+IS+IT%3F%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%9D+THEMATIC+ANALYSIS+OF+SURVEY+RESPONSES+OF+MEDICAL+PATIENTS+IN+SHARED+COMPARED+WITH+SINGLE+ACCOMMODATION.&title=Age+and+Ageing&rft.content=fulltext%2Cprint&eissn=1468-2834&linkScheme=oup.highwire&jHome=https%3A%2F%2Fageing.oxfordjournals.org%2F&volume=43&rft.order_by=preference&linktype=best L2 - Available from Highwire Press in http://link.worldcat.org/?rft.institution_id=129756&spage=i31&pkgName=freeart&issn=0002-0729&linkclass=to_article&jKey=ageing.oxfordjournals.org&issue=suppl_1&provider=highwire&date=2014-01-14&aulast=Heskett%2C+A.&atitle=112+A+CURTAIN+AROUND+A+BED%2C+NOT+VERY+PRIVATE+IS+IT%3F%C3%A2%C2%80%C2%9D+THEMATIC+ANALYSIS+OF+SURVEY+RESPONSES+OF+MEDICAL+PATIENTS+IN+SHARED+COMPARED+WITH+SINGLE+ACCOMMODATION.&title=Age+and+Ageing&rft.content=fulltext%2Cprint&eissn=1468-2834&linkScheme=highwire3&jHome=http%3A%2F%2Fageing.oxfordjournals.org&volume=43&rft.order_by=preference&linktype=best