Social Isolation Managing psychological distress in hospitalized patients during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandenic caused many hospitals and treatment centers to temporarily restrict or prohibit visitors to control viral spread. This article presents a case study of a patient receiving a bone marrow transplantation who experienced psychological distress during hospitalization because of social isolation. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines for distress management are used as a framework to outline a nursing plan of care for managing social isolation-related psychological distress in patients who are hospitalized during a worldwide pandemic. AT A GLANCE Restrictions on patient visitations are necessary for healthcare centers to control the spread of COVID-19. For some patients, visitation restrictions can be a source of increased psychological distress secondary to social isolation. The National Comprehensive Cancer Network distress management guidelines offer an evidence-based framework for nurses managing psychological distress in hospitalized patients caused by social isolation.