Psychological Impact of Quarantine on Caregivers at a Children's Hospital for Contact with Case of COVID-19

Kim, Harin; Park, Kee Jeong; Shin, Yong-Wook; Lee, Jung Sun; Chung, Seockhoon; Lee, Taeyeop; Kim, Min-Jae; Jung, Jiwon; Lee, Jina; Yum, Mi-Sun; Lee, Beom Hee; Koh, Kyung-Nam; Ko, Tae-Sung; Lim, Eunyoung; Lee, Jung Soo; Lee, Jee Yeon; Choi, Ji Yeon; Han, Hyo Myung; Shin, Woo Ah; Lee, Nam-Ju; Kim, Sung-Han; Kim, Hyo-Won

Quarantine often provokes negative psychological consequences. Thus, we aimed to identify the psychological and behavioral responses and stressors of caregivers quarantined with young patients after a close contact to a coronavirus disease 2019 case at a children's hospital. More than 90% of the caregivers reported feelings of worry and nervousness, while some of them reported suicidal ideations (4.2%), and/or homicidal ideations (1.4%). Fear of infection of the patient (91.7%) and/or oneself (86.1%) were most frequently reported stressors. A multidisciplinary team including infection control team, pediatrician, psychiatrist, nursing staff and legal department provided supplies and services to reduce caregiver's psychological distress. Psychotropic medication was needed in five (6.9%), one of whom was admitted to the psychiatry department due to suicidality. Quarantine at a children's hospital makes notable psychological impacts on the caregivers and a multidisciplinary approach is required.