Isolation Precautions
When a patient is known or suspected of having a certain type of germ, we take the necessary precautions to ensure the safety of our patients, visitors and healthcare team. These measures are called isolation precautions and may be different depending on the specific germ causing the illness.
Understanding Isolation Precaution Signs
When a patient is being cared for using isolation precautions, a sign will be posted near their door. This sign tells those entering the room about the steps to take and the personal protective equipment (PPE) to wear to help prevent the spread of germs. Certain germs require different PPE than others because of how they spread, so it’s important to read the posted information.
Precautions
Contact precautions are used when a patient has or is suspected to have germs that can spread by touching them or by touching any surfaces, devices, or materials they’ve come into contact with.
When visiting someone being cared for using contact precautions, visitors should:
- Always clean their hands when entering the room, after touching the patient or anything in the room, and when leaving the room.
- Consider wearing a gown and gloves, especially if assisting with care of the patient.
Droplet precautions are used when a patient has contagious germs in their respiratory system, which includes the lungs, throat and nose. When the patient coughs, sneezes, or talks, droplets containing the germs are released into the air and drop onto surfaces and people nearby.
When visiting someone being cared for using droplet precautions, visitors should:
- Always clean their hands when entering the room, after touching the patient or anything in the room, and when leaving the room.
- Consider wearing a mask and eye protection, especially if assisting with care of the patient.
Like droplet precautions, airborne precautions are used when patients have contagious germs in their respiratory system that can be released when they cough, sneeze, or talk. The main difference is that airborne germs are very tiny and lightweight, allowing them to travel further distances.
When visiting someone being cared for using airborne precautions, visitors should:
- Check with the patient’s nurse or care team before entering the room.
- Always clean their hands when entering the room, after touching the patient or anything in the room, and when leaving the room.
- Consider wearing a mask, especially if assisting with care of the patient.
Hand Hygiene
Cleaning your hands is one of the most effective ways to remove germs, avoid getting sick, and prevent the spread of germs to others.
Hand hygiene tips:
- Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer to clean your hands before entering and after leaving a patient’s room, as well as before and after touching the patient or any items in their room, including doorknobs, remotes, phones, and devices.
- Wash your hands with soap and water for at least 20 seconds before eating and after using the restroom.
- Try not to touch a patient’s wounds, devices or lines, but if you do, clean your hands before and after touching them.
- You should always clean your hands after you cough, sneeze or use a tissue.