Maria Heckel1, Alexander Sturm2,3, Franziska A Herbst1, Christoph Ostgathe1, Stephanie Stiel1. 1. 1 Department of Palliative Medicine, Comprehensive Cancer Center CCC Erlangen-EMN, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen , Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany . 2. 2 Institute for Biomedicine of Aging, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität (FAU) Erlangen-Nürnberg , Erlangen, Germany . 3. 3 Department of General Internal and Geriatric Medicine, Hospital of the Order of St. John of Lord , Regensburg, Germany .
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the experiences of family caregivers of hospitalized patients with confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus/multiresistant gram-negative bacteria (MRSA/MRGN) diagnosis at the end of life. The study at hand is a subproject of an interdisciplinary cooperation project that aims at developing a patient-, family-, and team-centered approach in dealing with MRSA/MRGN-positive hospitalized patients in palliative and geriatric care. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the individual effects of the patient's MRSA/MRGN colonization or infection and isolation measures on family caregivers. DESIGN: Between April 2014 and September 2015, all known family caregivers associated with an MRSA/MRGN-positive patient from a palliative care unit, a hospital palliative care support team, and a geriatric ward were considered for study participation. A qualitative interview study with family caregivers and an additional focus group was conducted. Data were analyzed using the principles of Grounded Theory. RESULTS: Family caregivers (N = 62) raised suggestions regarding the provision of information and communication on the MRSA/MRGN diagnosis and hygiene measures from staff members and the consistency of hygiene procedures. Family caregivers requested not to be stigmatized or being disadvantaged due to the MRSA/MRGN diagnosis of the patient, and they wished to receive psychosocial and emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: Staff members and institutional stakeholders should be aware that family caregivers might be burdened and upset by positive MRSA/MRGN diagnosis and the required hygiene measures. The need for detailed and understandable information on MRSA/MRGN, adequate communication between staff members and family caregivers, and support for family caregivers should be of special attention in particular in end-of-life care.
BACKGROUND: Little is known about the experiences of family caregivers of hospitalized patients with confirmed methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus/multiresistant gram-negative bacteria (MRSA/MRGN) diagnosis at the end of life. The study at hand is a subproject of an interdisciplinary cooperation project that aims at developing a patient-, family-, and team-centered approach in dealing with MRSA/MRGN-positive hospitalized patients in palliative and geriatric care. OBJECTIVES: The present study aimed to assess the individual effects of the patient's MRSA/MRGN colonization or infection and isolation measures on family caregivers. DESIGN: Between April 2014 and September 2015, all known family caregivers associated with an MRSA/MRGN-positive patient from a palliative care unit, a hospital palliative care support team, and a geriatric ward were considered for study participation. A qualitative interview study with family caregivers and an additional focus group was conducted. Data were analyzed using the principles of Grounded Theory. RESULTS: Family caregivers (N = 62) raised suggestions regarding the provision of information and communication on the MRSA/MRGN diagnosis and hygiene measures from staff members and the consistency of hygiene procedures. Family caregivers requested not to be stigmatized or being disadvantaged due to the MRSA/MRGN diagnosis of the patient, and they wished to receive psychosocial and emotional support. CONCLUSIONS: Staff members and institutional stakeholders should be aware that family caregivers might be burdened and upset by positive MRSA/MRGN diagnosis and the required hygiene measures. The need for detailed and understandable information on MRSA/MRGN, adequate communication between staff members and family caregivers, and support for family caregivers should be of special attention in particular in end-of-life care.
Entities:
Keywords:
end of life; family caregivers; methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA); multiresistant gram-negative bacteria (MRGN); qualitative research
Authors: Maria Heckel; Stephanie Stiel; Franziska A Herbst; Johanna M Tiedtke; Alexander Sturm; Thomas Adelhardt; Christian Bogdan; Cornel Sieber; Oliver Schöffski; Frieder R Lang; Christoph Ostgathe Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2018-03-16 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Maria Heckel; Walter Geißdörfer; Franziska A Herbst; Stephanie Stiel; Christoph Ostgathe; Christian Bogdan Journal: PLoS One Date: 2017-12-11 Impact factor: 3.240