The effect of multidrug-resistant organisms on social participation and quality of life in children with life-limiting conditions.

Background: Children with life-limiting conditions have a high risk of colonisation with a multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO). To avoid the spread of hospital-aquired infections to other patients, children with a MDRO are moved to an isolated room or ward. However, such isolation prevents social participation, which may reduce the child's quality of life (QoL). To overcome this challenge of conflicting interests on a paediatric palliative care inpatient unit, a hygiene concept for patients colonised with MDRO, called PALLINI, was implemented. PALLINI advises that, instead of isolating the affected children, strict barrier nursing should be used.

Aim: To identify the impact of a complex hygiene concept on children's and parents' QoL and social participation.

Methods: Cross-sectional mixed-methods research approach, comprising semi-structured interviews with parents and staff members, and a QoL-questionnaire focusing on the child which was completed by parents.

Findings: In paediatric patients with life-limiting conditions who have MDRO colonisation, using a complex hygiene protocol resulted in both benefits and barriers to social participation. However, the child's QoL did not appear to be affected.

Conclusion: All staff members and families have to be familiar with the hygiene concept and the concept has to be self-explanatory and easy to apply.