Attitudes towards the mixing of COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in multi-bed hospital rooms

Abstract

Aim: To explore patient and staff views about the mixing of COVID-19 vaccinated and unvaccinated patients in multi-bed hospital rooms.

Methods: We conducted a mixed methods study with paper surveys and structured interviews. Self-administered surveys were undertaken with inpatients on the general medicine, general surgery, orthopaedic and respiratory wards in Dunedin Public Hospital. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with ward staff including consultants, registrars, charge nurses, registered nurses and nurse managers. The study was undertaken in February 2022, at the start of the first New Zealand wave of the Omicron variant.

Results: Of 118 eligible patients, 63 agreed to participate. Sixty (95%) of these patients were vaccinated for COVID-19. Most patients (59%) thought that vaccinated and unvaccinated people should be accommodated in separate hospital rooms. Vaccinated patients felt more comfortable sharing a multi-bed room with others of the same COVID-19 vaccination status as themselves than with unvaccinated patients. Participants who thought that they were at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19 were more likely to support separation of patients based on vaccination status. Fifteen ward staff were interviewed: most would prefer the hospital to separate patients by vaccination status but were aware this would present practical and ethical problems and thought that current arrangements were adequate.

Conclusion: While most vaccinated patients and staff wanted patients to be separated according to their COVID-19 vaccination status, the current precautionary measures for COVID-19 were viewed by most staff members as adequate.