The impact of exclusion due to COVID‐19 restrictions on partners' satisfaction with Swedish hospital postnatal ward care: A multi‐methods approach

• DOI: 10.1111/birt.12816
• Publication Date: 2024-01-30T09:13:59Z
• Authors: Petrus Olander; Lisa Berglin; Elin Naurin; Elias Markstedt; Lucy R. Zheng; Karolina Linden; Verena Sengpiel; Helen Elden
• Keywords: Postnatal Care; Pandemic

Abstract Background To prevent the spread of SARS‐CoV‐2, hospitals around world adopted protocols that, in varying ways, resulted exclusion partners from hospital postnatal care wards. The objective this study was to examine effect had on partners' satisfaction with care. Methods An online survey (the Swedish Pregnancy Panel) including free‐text comments conducted before and during first wave COVID‐19 pandemic; pregnant women were recruited at an early ultrasound appointment followed until 2 months after childbirth. Data linked Register. Results completed by 524 who gave birth pandemic 203 before. Partners' dropped 29.8 percent (−0.94 OLS, 95% CI = −1.17 −0.72). drop largest for first‐time mothers (−1.40 −1.69 −1.11), but unrelated clinical outcomes such as mode most social backgrounds, except higher income. qualitative analysis showed that (1) felt excluded parents, (2) thought strain staff led deficiencies provided, (3) perceived decision about partner restrictions illogical. Conclusions wards clearly impaired care, particularly affected. Planning future should factor these consequences.