Visiting in disguise: Analysis of inpatient companions in the time of COVID-19

Abstract

Background: As outbreak of COVID-19 infection, on April 3, 2020, it is stipulated that the number of inpatient companions is limited to one in Taiwan. All companions are required to register their real personal data with 14 days of travel history, occupation, contact history, and cluster history. We would like to evaluate the impact of the new regulations to the accompanying and visiting culture in Taiwan, via analyzing the appearance and characteristics of inpatient companions in this period. Methods: Using intelligent technology, we designed a novel system in managing the inpatient companions (InPatients Companions Management System [IPCMS]), and the IPCMS was used to collect data about characteristics of inpatients and companions between April 27 and May 3, 2020. The database is built using MySQL software. Microsoft Excel 2016 and SPSS version 20.0 statistical software were used for data analysis, including the basic data of the companions, differential analysis of companions’ gender, person-days and cumulative time, differential analysis of accompaniment-patient relationship, and frequency of accompaniment and cumulative hours. Results: During study period, daily inpatient admissions ranged from 2242 to 2514, the number of companions per day ranged from 2048 to 2293, and the number of companions for one inpatient is 1 to 9 per day, with an average of 1.20 to 1.26. The companions were mostly family members, and most of them were the inpatients’ children (32.9%), and spouse (26.13%). More females than males were noted in all categories of companionship with statistical significance. Conclusion: The data obtained in this study could be an important basis for the transformation and reform of the companions culture in Taiwan’s hospitals and will also provide a glimpse into the attitudes and culture of companions who have long been ignorant and neglected. The experience gained in our IPCMS could also serve as a reference for other hospitals in Taiwan and worldwide.

Correlational Study of Emotional Stress, Pain, and the Presence of Inpatient Companions for Cancer Inpatients during the COVID-19 Pandemic

“…In our study, the number of nursing hours increased during the pandemic, possibly due to the vacancy periods of inpatient companions who had to wait for the PCR test results. Nursing staff assisted throughout the process, thus increasing the number of daily nursing hours, which is consistent with the literature [ 9 , 11 ]. The primary inpatient companions were 862 males (36.96%) and 1273 females (54.59%).…”

“…The primary inpatient companions were 862 males (36.96%) and 1273 females (54.59%). The results of this analysis are consistent with the survey results of the Republic of China Family Caregivers Association, which found that most inpatient companions are female [ 7 , 9 , 25 ]. The total scores for patients with inpatient companions were higher than those for patients without inpatient companions both before and during the pandemic period.…”

“…The role of inpatient companions in providing patient support was not shown, unlike in the literature [ 3 , 24 ], but it is also possible that the conditions of the unaccompanied patients were more stable and the scores of each sub-item of the mood scale were lower. There was no statistical difference between male and female patients with or without inpatient companions, but cancer inpatients had a higher rate of female inpatient companions than male inpatient companions during the three periods [ 7 , 9 ].…”

“…Most hospitals in Taiwan inform inpatients that they need to be accompanied by inpatient companions so that during treatments or emergencies, the hospital can communicate with the patient’s family in a timely manner. The inpatient companion can also accompany the patient and share the care work so as to reduce the workload of clinical care [ 8 , 9 ]. However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, national policy stipulated that only one inpatient companion could accompany the patient.…”

“…However, during the COVID-19 pandemic, national policy stipulated that only one inpatient companion could accompany the patient. In addition, the hospital’s supporting measures for the management of inpatient companions advocated the reduction of frequent rotations of inpatient companions, and when no inpatient companion was available, the nurses would fully intervene in the care work so as to reduce the risk of improper management or inpatient companions causing nosocomial infections [ 9 ]. However, such restrictions could have serious impacts on the physical and mental conditions of cancer inpatients.…”