The CAPE: Patients' View on Emergency Tent Safety

Ever been in an emergency with an infectious disease worry? The Collapsible Aerosolized Particle Enclosure, or CAPE, is a tent designed to protect both patients and healthcare workers from airborne germs. This study chatted with emergency department patients to see what they thought of the CAPE. They wanted to know if patients felt safe and comfortable getting care inside this special tent when hospitals are full and isolation rooms are hard to find. The CAPE is like an isolation room on the go. It's portable and creates a negative pressure environment, meaning it sucks in air and traps germs inside, preventing them from spreading. But does it feel claustrophobic or is it a safe haven?To find out, researchers talked to patients who'd been inside the CAPE. They asked how they felt about the space, if they had concerns, and if they thought it improved their care. This isn't just about personal comfort, it's about understanding how we can make emergency care safer and more efficient during busy times. The results? Well, that's for another conversation. But let's talk about what's important here – giving patients a say in their care environment. After all, if you're being treated for something serious, you deserve to feel secure and at ease, right?