Patients' experience of single room isolation in hospitals : an integrative review

Background: Isolation of infectious or immunosuppressed patients is a common intervention in hospitals. Evidence highlights various impacts due to isolation. Aim: To explore adult inpatients' experience of single room isolation. Methods: An integrative review was performed. Therefore, a systematic search was conducted in Cochrane, CINAHL, MEDLINE, and GeroLit, as well as an additional handsearch and a reverse search in 2021 and 2023. Screening and data extraction were carried out independently by two reviewers. Synthesis of study results was performed by constant comparison. Results: Of the 5,975 findings, 20 studies (9 qualitative, 9 quantitative, 2 mixed) containing 58,534 participants were included. Patients' experience depends on various context factors. The studies describe a multifaceted experience of single room isolation. Isolation is perceived as a protection against threats; patients experience peace and privacy but are also confronted with restrictions in relation to mobility and contact. The studies mention that isolation has various psychological and social impacts, as well as effects on the perception of received care. Although often perceived as a heavy burden, the studies highlight the opportunity for self-reflection and to find inner strength. Discussion: Patients reported a complex, multidimensional, and inconsistent experience. Further research is needed to address differentiated causal relationships between the influencing factors and different experiences