When Infection Prevention and Rehabilitation Work Together, Patients Win

Should isolation precautions limit rehabilitation?

For patients colonized or infected with Candidiozyma / Candida auris, the answer has often been yes. Concerns about transmission frequently lead to restrictions on participation in shared rehabilitation spaces, resulting in therapy being provided exclusively at the bedside or in patient rooms. While these precautions are well-intentioned, they raise an important question: What impact do they have on patient recovery?

A recent study, Implementing Practices for Full Therapy Participation for Patients With Candida auris in an Inpatient Rehabilitation Setting published by IP&MA’s Jessica Nwachukwu, Ayisha Allen, Sandi Steinfeld and Kelley Boston in Rehabilitation Nursing explored an innovative approach to balancing infection prevention and rehabilitation needs. Researchers evaluated the use of a dedicated therapy gym designed exclusively for patients with C. auris who required contact precautions. Over a 14-month period, the team monitored both functional outcomes and infection transmission rates among patients receiving rehabilitation services.

The findings were encouraging. Patients who received therapy in the dedicated gym were more likely to achieve mobility improvement goals than those receiving therapy exclusively in their rooms (57.1% versus 35.7%). Perhaps equally important, there were no documented cases of in-facility transmission associated with the dedicated therapy space.

Although the study involved a small sample size, it highlights a challenge that many healthcare organizations face: balancing the need to prevent transmission with the need to maximize patient outcomes. Infection prevention measures are essential, but they should also support the broader goals of patient care whenever possible.

As healthcare facilities continue to navigate emerging pathogens such as C. auris, successful programs will require collaboration among infection preventionists, rehabilitation teams, nursing leadership, environmental services, and public health partners. Innovative solutions like dedicated therapy spaces demonstrate that infection control and patient-centered care do not have to be competing priorities—they can work hand in hand.

The question is not whether we can maintain safe infection prevention practices. The question is whether we are designing systems that allow patients to achieve their best possible outcomes while we do it.

Looking for practical solutions to complex infection prevention challenges? Contact Infection Prevention & Management Associates to learn how our consulting and program assessment services can help your organization build evidence-based strategies that protect patients while supporting quality care and operational excellence.