Isolation Precautions
Standard Precautions
Applied to all patients, regardless of diagnosis or infection status.
Key components:
- Hand hygiene (before and after patient contact)
- PPE (gloves, gown, mask, eye protection) based on anticipated exposure
- Sharps safety (no recapping; proper disposal)
- Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
- Safe injection practices (aseptic technique; single-use vials)
- Environmental cleaning and disinfection
Transmission-Based Precautions
| Type | PPE Required | Room | Conditions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Contact | Gown, gloves | Private room (or cohort) | MRSA, VRE, C. diff, scabies, herpes simplex, impetigo |
| Droplet | Surgical mask within 6 feet | Private room (or cohort) | Influenza, Pertussis, Meningococcal meningitis, Mumps, Rubella, adenovirus |
| Airborne | N95 or PAPR | Negative pressure room | TB, Measles, Varicella, COVID-19 (per facility protocol) |
| Protective/Reverse | Mask, gown for visitors; staff per protocol | Positive pressure room | Immunocompromised, neutropenic patients |
PPE Donning Order
- Hand hygiene
- Gown
- Mask or respirator
- Eye protection (goggles or face shield)
- Gloves
PPE Doffing Order
- Gloves
- Eye protection
- Gown
- Mask or respirator
- Hand hygiene
Hand Hygiene
5 Moments for Hand Hygiene (WHO):
- Before patient contact
- Before aseptic/clean procedure
- After body fluid exposure risk
- After patient contact
- After contact with patient surroundings
Alcohol-based hand rub: Preferred when hands not visibly soiled; effective against most pathogens.
Soap and water: Use for C. diff (spores not killed by alcohol); visibly soiled hands; after using toilet.
References
Current CDC isolation and transmission-based precaution guidance.
Medical Disclaimer
The content on this page is provided for educational and quick-reference purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional clinical judgment, your facility's protocols, or the guidance of a qualified licensed healthcare provider. Always verify dosages, reference ranges, and protocols against current evidence-based clinical guidelines and institutional policy before providing care. rnref.com makes no warranty regarding the accuracy or completeness of this information and is not liable for clinical decisions made based on it. See our Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, and Accessibility Statement.