4 Isolation Procedures

Principles for isolation procedures

Use Transmission-Based Precautions in addition to Standard Precautions. Follow facility infection-prevention policies and pathogen-specific guidance when choosing placement and carrying out isolation procedures.

Placement decisions should account for the suspected route of transmission, the patient’s risk of spreading infection, and the risks to potential roommates.

Choosing a patient room

A single-patient room is generally preferred for a patient on Contact Precautions when one is available. When rooms are scarce, placement decisions should take account of transmission route, the patient’s ability to contain infectious material, and the risks to potential roommates.

If a single room is unavailable, cohorting patients with the same pathogen may be appropriate when they are suitable roommates and facility policy permits it. Avoid placing an infectious patient with someone at increased risk of severe infection. Continue the required precautions and separate patients as directed by facility policy.

For Airborne Precautions, the preferred placement is an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR), with the door closed. If an AIIR is unavailable, follow facility procedures for temporary placement and transfer.

Room entrance signs

A sign at the room entrance should tell people which precautions are required and what protective equipment or actions are needed before entry. Do not include the patient’s diagnosis on the sign.

Transporting patients

Limit transport to medically necessary purposes. For a patient on Droplet Precautions, have the patient wear a mask if tolerated, follow respiratory hygiene, and notify the receiving area so staff can prepare.

For a patient on Contact Precautions, remove and discard contaminated gown and gloves and perform hand hygiene before transport. Use clean personal protective equipment as needed to handle the patient at the destination.

Transfers between facilities

When a patient requiring Transmission-Based Precautions is transferred, notify the receiving facility and transport personnel in advance about the precautions needed to reduce transmission risk.

Equipment and room turnover

Use dedicated or disposable patient-care equipment when possible. Keep a dedicated item, such as a blood-pressure cuff, for that patient. If equipment must be shared, clean and disinfect it before another patient uses it.