Open AccessA Cross-Sectional Survey of Patients and Staff on Inpatient Forensic Psychiatric Units During COVID-19 Outbreak.
Author(s) -
Courtney Brennan,
Patti Socha,
Sandy Simpson,
Sean A. Kidd
Publication year - 2021
Publication title -
international journal of risk and recovery
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
ISSN - 2561-5645
DOI - 10.15173/ijrr.v4i1.4776
Subject(s) - outbreak , context (archaeology) , psychological intervention , medicine , unit (ring theory) , focus group , cross sectional study , covid-19 , medical emergency , family medicine , psychology , nursing , geography , business , disease , virology , mathematics education , archaeology , pathology , marketing , infectious disease (medical specialty)
Outbreaks of COVID-19 on inpatient forensic units present a unique challenge as early release is not possible and some facilities were not designed to achieve sustained social distancing [1]. The enforcement of droplet and contact (D&C) precautions required during an outbreak creates further confines and restrictions for patients that are typically subject to considerable constraint during their care. From December 2020 to January 2021 43 clinicians and 12 patients on inpatient forensic units under unit-wide D&C precautions during COVID-19 outbreaks completed a cross-sectional survey regarding their experience. Virtual focus groups were also conducted to triangulate the qualitative feedback from clinicians. The survey and focus groups found the themes of enablers, barriers, and desired changes to care provision during an outbreak. Findings are discussed within the broader context of outbreak interventions and the provision of services to those living and working on forensic inpatient units experiencing outbreaks requiring the unit-wide implementation of D&C precautions.