Hostname: page-component-7b7567c8c-2rsb6 Total loading time: 0 Render date: 2026-11-12T20:17:20.315Z Has data issue: false hasContentIssue false

Rapid Patient Isolation Precautions Reconciliation via Technology Enabling Tool Comparing Nursing Documentation with Surveillance Data

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 June 2026

Julia Moody
Affiliation:
HCA Healthcare
Michelle Clark
Affiliation:
HCA
Keetha Kratzer
Affiliation:
HCA Healthcare corporate ofice

Abstract

Core share and HTML view are not available for this content. However, as you have access to this content, a full PDF is available via the 'Save PDF' action button.

Background: A foundational daily activity for infection preventionists (IP) is reconciling nursing isolation documentation to surveillance system current and historical isolation markers. Inefficiencies and isolation delays occur when: (i) electronic healthcare records [EHR] and IP surveillance tools are separate applications requiring manual person dependent resolution; (ii) EHR has logic limited isolation alerts or lack patient isolation history markers to activate on readmission; and (iii) IP staffing when limited to weekdays. Outcomes result in potential communicable disease exposures and added resources for bed reassignment and room cleaning of semi-private rooms. Surveys identified up to 25% of patients require a change in patient isolation status in an average 250-300 bed acute care hospital. Methods: EHR nursing isolation was aggregated to isolation alerts from IP third party surveillance software into a technology enabling advanced analytics platform in use for daily device rounds. Real time data overlays updated for admitted patients including pending ER hold admissions. Nursing and IP developed rules defining match agreement and review isolation conditions, visual displays and patient specific information. A pilot proof of concept was tested in 11 acute care hospitals ranging in size from 100 to 740 beds displaying both full facility and unit specific views. High performing nursing units operationalized the tool at the beginning of each shift during daily patient safety rounds including weekends and holidays. Results: Tool visuals displayed a patient list to prioritize review of isolation status (Figure 1), patient specific details of mismatch (Figure 2) and reconciled isolation (Figure 3). The average resolution within 24h was 86% (range 79-95%). Charge nurse adoption improved time to isolation, reduced reliance on IP manual processes, improved first time bed assignments and guided nursing patient care assignments. The tool solved for lab “new results” alert gaps to caregivers for MRSA, Candida auris, etc. and provided timely information to care team members unable to access EHR isolation status. Feedback was overwhelmingly positive from users. Short term limitations to reconciliation occurred for patients with clinical conditions warranting isolation pending diagnostic test results (i.e. C. difficile). Conclusion: The technology enabler tool brings together various data streams into a single view for patient care teams and leadership to prioritize activities. The tool enabled shared responsibility between nursing and IP for reconciling isolation status, improved communications, driving operational efficiencies and improving safety.

A table listing patients for review of isolation precautions.

A textbox detailing isolation precautions for a patient with influenza.

A table listing patients with reconciled isolation precautions.

Information

Type
Medical Informatics
Creative Commons
Creative Common License - CCCreative Common License - BY
This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution licence (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted re-use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2026. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of The Society for Healthcare Epidemiology of America