Impact of Visitor Restriction Rules on the Postoperative Experience of COVID-19 Negative Patients Undergoing Surgery

Zeh, Ryan D.; Santry, Heena P.; Monsour, Christina; Sumski, Alan A.; Bridge, John FP.; Tsung, Allan; Pawlik, Timothy M.; Cloyd, Jordan M.

BACKGROUND: Many hospitals have implemented visitor restriction policies in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Since caregivers serve an important role in postoperative recovery, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the impact of visitor restrictions on the postoperative experience of COVID-negative patients undergoing surgery. METHODS: Patients who underwent surgery immediately prior to or following the implementation of a visitor restriction policy were enrolled. Patients were surveyed on their inpatient experience and preparedness for discharge using items adapted from validated questionnaires. RESULTS: Among 128 eligible patients, 117 agreed to participate (91.4% response rate): 58 (49.6%) in the Visitor Cohort and 59 (50.4%) in the No-Visitor Cohort. Mean age was 57.5 years (SD 13.9) and 66 (56.4%) were female. Among all patients, 47.8% underwent oncologic surgery, 31.6% transplant, and 20.5% general/other. Patients in the No-Visitor Cohort were less likely to report complete satisfaction with the hospital experience (80.7% vs 66.0%, p=0.044), timely receipt of medications (84.5% vs 69.0%, p=0.048) and assistance getting out of bed (70.7% vs 51.7%, p=0.036). No-Visitor Cohort patients were less likely to feel that their discharge preferences were adequately considered (79.3% vs 54.2%, p=0.004). Qualitative analysis of patient responses highlighted the consistent psychosocial support provided by visitors following surgery (84.5%) and patients in the No-Visitor Cohort reported social isolation due to lack of psychosocial support (50.8%). CONCLUSION: The implementation of hospital visitor restriction policies may adversely impact the postoperative experience of COVID-negative patients undergoing surgery. These findings highlight the urgent need for novel patient-centered strategies to improve the postoperative experience of patients during ongoing or future disruptions to routine hospital practice.