[COVID-19 hygiene measures at an inpatient CI therapy center for children from the parents' perspective].

BACKGROUND

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, all essential treatment must adhere to strict health and hygiene protocols. New measures have been introduced in CI treatment centres in order to safely accommodate families and continue to provide effective follow-up CI therapy for children implanted with CIs.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of this study was to document, over the course of the pandemic, how patients' parents viewed the likelihood and danger of infection and how necessary they thought the newly implemented protocols were.

MATERIALS AND

METHODS

All parents of children implanted with CIs who participated in therapy at the CIC treatment centre between August and November 2020 (N = 255) were requested to fill out a questionnaire anonymously following their stay.

RESULTS

255 questionnaires were distributed, 83 (32.5%) of which were filled out. During the course of the study, there was an increase in the parents' perceived risk of infection. Simultaneously, fewer parents felt well protected at the CIC. According to parents, the new hygiene protocols at the CIC did not negatively affect treatment. However, many parents noted that their interactions with other patient families had been better prior to introduction of the hygiene protocols.

CONCLUSIONS

The CIC`s hygiene protocols were well received. However, data analysis over the course of the study suggests that hygiene protocols were not sufficient to prevent fear of infection in light of increasing rate of infection.