3 Isolation Procedures
Learn when to initiate isolation procedures, how to maintain precautions during care and transport, and when precautions may be discontinued.
When to initiate precautions
Isolation procedures reduce transmission of infectious agents while protecting patients, staff, and visitors. Apply to every patient. Add when infection is suspected or confirmed.
Start appropriate precautions promptly based on symptoms and the likely infection; do not wait solely for laboratory confirmation. Reassess and adjust precautions as more information becomes available.
Room placement and entry signs
Choose room placement according to the suspected infection and required precautions. For in an acute-care hospital, use an and keep the door closed except when entry or exit is needed.
If an AIIR is unavailable, follow facility procedures for immediate precautions and transfer or other appropriate placement. Post a precautions sign at the room entrance so staff and visitors know which precautions and protective measures are required before entry. Signage does not replace staff training, hand hygiene, or .
Maintaining precautions during care
During care under , wear the required gown and gloves for interactions that may involve the patient or the patient’s environment. Remove personal protective equipment as directed and perform hand hygiene. Do not reuse the same gown or gloves for another patient.
Planning and carrying out transport
Limit movement outside the room to medically necessary purposes. Before and during necessary transport under , have the patient wear a mask if tolerated and notify personnel in the receiving area about the precautions.
For transport under , remove and discard contaminated gown and gloves and perform hand hygiene before transport. Use clean personal protective equipment to handle the patient at the destination when indicated.
Transfers and ending isolation
When a patient on is transferred to another facility, communicate in advance with both the receiving facility and the transport service. Share the suspected or confirmed infection and the precautions needed; do not wait for a final test result before communicating necessary infection-control information.
Improvement in symptoms alone does not establish that isolation can end. Check pathogen-specific criteria and facility policy, and consult the responsible clinician or infection prevention team as appropriate. Discontinuation depends on the infectious agent and applicable clinical guidance, not on an assumed universal time period.