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Isolation precautions

Standard isolation precautions; Transmission-based isolation precautions; Isolation precautions - standard; Isolation precautions - transmission-based

Isolation precautions create barriers between people and germs. These types of precautions help prevent the spread of germs in the hospital.

Anybody who visits a hospital patient who has an isolation sign outside their door should stop at the nurses' station before entering the patient's room. The number of visitors and staff who enter the patient's room may be limited.

Different types of isolation precautions protect against different types of germs.

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Standard Precautions

When you are close to patients or handling blood, bodily fluid, bodily tissues, mucous membranes, or areas of open skin, you must use personal protective equipment (PPE).

Follow standard precautions with all patients, based on the type of exposure expected.

Depending on the anticipated exposure, types of PPE that may be required include:

It is also important to properly clean up afterward.

Transmission-based Precautions

Transmission-based precautions are extra steps to follow for illnesses that are caused by certain germs. Transmission-based precautions are followed in addition to standard precautions. Some infections require more than one type of transmission-based precaution.

Follow transmission-based precautions when an illness is first suspected. Stop following these precautions only when that illness has been treated or ruled out and the room has been cleaned.

Patients should stay in their rooms as much as possible while these precautions are in place. They may need to wear a mask when they leave their rooms.

Airborne precautions may be needed for germs that are so small they can float in the air and travel long distances.

Contact precautions may be needed for germs that are spread by touching.

Droplet precautions are used to prevent contact with mucus and other secretions from the nose and sinuses, throat, airways, and lungs.

References

Calfee DP. Prevention and control of health care-associated infections. In: Goldman L, Cooney KA, eds. Goldman-Cecil Medicine. 27th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2024:chap 261.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention website. Isolation precautions guideline. www.cdc.gov/infection-control/hcp/isolation-precautions/?CDC_AAref_Val=https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/guidelines/isolation/index.html. Updated November 27, 2023. Accessed June 18, 2024.

Palmore TN. Infection prevention and control in the health care setting. In: Bennett JE, Dolin R, Blaser MJ, eds. Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett's Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases. 9th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier; 2020:chap 298.

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Review Date: 10/13/2023  

Reviewed By: Linda J. Vorvick, MD, Clinical Professor, Department of Family Medicine, UW Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA. Also reviewed by David C. Dugdale, MD, Medical Director, Brenda Conaway, Editorial Director, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.

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