The March issue's Emerging Infections column ("The Contact Precautions Controversy") says, "[R]esearch consistently finds statistically significantly higher levels of depression and anxiety among patients placed under contact precautions or in isolation." I'm not sure we needed research to tell us this, although it's good to have it verified.

I can't help wondering why, if patients experience such anxiety, hasn't a mask been developed that is transparent-or at least translucent? I'd think that just seeing a caregiver's expression would decrease anxiety.

Virginia M. Wepfer, MSN, RN

Lake Milton, OH