From the Research
A healthcare provider who is hospitalized as an inpatient should not continue performing their professional duties during their hospitalization. When a healthcare provider becomes a patient requiring inpatient care, their primary focus should be on their own recovery and health. Continuing to work while hospitalized could compromise both patient safety and the provider's own recovery. The physical limitations, potential cognitive effects of illness or medications, and the inherent stress of being hospitalized can all impair clinical judgment and performance. Additionally, there are infection control concerns, as the provider may be at risk of acquiring or transmitting infections, as highlighted in a study on infection prevention and control strategies in nursing practice 1.
Some key points to consider include:
- The importance of prioritizing the provider's own recovery and health
- The potential risks of compromising patient safety and the provider's own recovery
- The need to follow employer's sick leave policies and arrange for appropriate coverage of clinical responsibilities
- The importance of following return-to-work guidelines established by the employer and occupational health department before resuming clinical duties
Most healthcare facilities have policies prohibiting this practice, and professional liability insurance typically would not cover care provided under such circumstances. Furthermore, evidence-based practice has been shown to improve patient outcomes and healthcare system return on investment, emphasizing the need for healthcare providers to prioritize their own health and well-being in order to provide high-quality care 2.
In terms of infection control, a study on risk factors for infection in older adults with home care found that individual, medical, social, behavioral, environmental, and organizational aspects all play a role in infection control 3. Another study on strategies to promote infection prevention and control in acute care hospitals highlighted the importance of infection control link nurses and the need for ongoing education and training 4.
Overall, the evidence suggests that healthcare providers should not continue performing their professional duties while hospitalized as an inpatient, and instead should prioritize their own recovery and health.