Impact of SARS-CoV-2 infection and implementation of infection prevention and control (IPC) measures on inpatient psychiatric units

Psychiatric inpatients are at high risk of acquiring and transmitting communicable diseases such as SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19). Via chart review, the authors examined a cohort of COVID-positive psychiatric inpatients admitted between March and June of 2020, early in the pandemic, to Valleywise Health Medical Center (VMHC), in Arizona, USA. The goal was to assess the ways in which the virus itself as well as infection prevention and control (IPC) measures affected psychiatric inpatients. Variables examined included demographics, psychiatric diagnoses, COVID-19 symptoms, medical comorbidities, and length of stay. Behavioral health faciltiies encountered significant challenges in blalancing the need for a therapeutic milieu and compliance with IPC measures. During the study period, 39 patients and 15 staff members contracted COVID. All but one COVID-positive staff member provided direct patient care. During the study period, VMHC behavioral health facilities were largely successful in identifying and quarantining COVID-positive patients. The hospital’s IPC policies/procedures were constantly updated to incorporate new guidelines and address emerging knowledge about the virus, which may have lowered transmission rates and mitigated potential complications. To preserve quallity and safety of psychiatric care, the therapeutic milieu was altered, which may have adversely affected patient care and/or lengthened hospital stay.