Isolation Precautions
– In the hospital, isolation precautions are used to help stop the spread of germs from one person to another. Our aim is to protect our patients, visitors, and healthcare workers from getting infections.
– If you or your family member or your friend has been placed on isolation precautions, you will find a sign at the door of hospital room to remind visitors and healthcare workers which isolation precautions are needed.
– Consult the nurse before entering the room to know the precautions you should follow. It is important to understand that visitors will be limited.
– Visitors should not eat or drink in isolation rooms and should always clean their hands before entering the room and upon exiting it.
You or your family member may be placed on the following isolation precautions:
1. Contact isolation precautions
Used for infections, diseases, or germs that spread by touching the patient or items in the room. Examples: Meticillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), diarrheal illness, open wounds.
Healthcare workers, family members and visitors will:
• Wear a gown and gloves before entering the patient’s room.
• Remove the gown and gloves before leaving the room (at the doorway) and clean hands.
• Clean hands (hand washing or use alcohol based hand rub) when they enter the room and when they leave it.
• Visitors must check with the nurse before taking anything into or out of the room.
Patient will:
• Stay in the room except for medically necessary procedures or therapy.
• Wear a clean patient gown and clean their hands before leaving the room.
2. Droplet isolation precautions
Used for diseases or germs that are spread in tiny droplets caused by coughing and sneezing (examples: pneumonia, influenza, whooping cough, bacterial meningitis)
Healthcare workers, family members, and visitors will:
• Wear a surgical mask before entering the room.
• Discard mask in trash before leaving the room (at the doorway) and clean hands.
• Clean hands (hand washing or use alcohol based hand rub) when they enter the room and when they leave it.
Patient will:
• Stay in the room except for medically necessary procedures or therapy.
• Wear a surgical mask (if tolerable) when leaving the room.
3. Airborne Isolation precautions
Used for diseases or very small germs that are spread through the air from one person to another (example: Tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox).
Healthcare workers, family members, and visitors will:
• Wear a particulate respirator before entering the room.
• Discard the respirator in trash after leaving the room and closing the door then clean hands.
• Clean hands (hand washing, or use alcohol based hand rub) when they enter the room and when they leave it.
Patient will:
• Be placed in a room with special airflow. The door must stay closed at all times.
• Stay in the room except for medically necessary procedures or therapy.
• Wear a surgical mask (if tolerable) when leaving the room.
Educational Material
