Isolation Procedures: Care Instructions

Your doctor wants you to be kept away, or isolated, from other patients while you get medical care. You may be in a special hospital room. This may be done if you have an infection that can be spread to others. Or it may be done if you are at risk of getting serious infections.

The type of isolation depends on the infection. Infections can be spread through the air or through large or small droplets. They can also be spread by touching a surface that has been infected by body fluids or stool.

What are the isolation procedures for infections?

Everyone who enters or leaves the room needs to wash their hands very well. Depending on how the infection is spread, other precautions may be taken. These include:

• Airborne

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  • You will need to wear a mask.
  • Anyone who enters your room will wear a mask.
  • The door to your room should stay closed.

• Contact

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  • Others will wear gloves and a gown. They may also wear eye protection and a mask.
  • Any infected parts of your body should be covered when you are near others.
  • Surfaces near you, like your hospital table and call button, should be disinfected often.

• Droplet

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  • You will need to wear a mask.
  • Anyone who enters your room will wear a mask. They may also need to wear a gown and a face shield.

Understanding what happens when you are in isolation

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  Negative air pressure may be used in your room.

  This helps prevent airborne diseases from escaping the room and infecting other people.

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  Positive air pressure may be used in your room.

  This is done to keep infectious diseases out of the room. It may be used when a person has a weakened immune system. Clean, filtered air is constantly pumped into the room.

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  You may be allowed to have visitors.

  They may be asked to wear masks, gowns, and gloves. People who have colds, the flu, or other illnesses may not be allowed to visit you.

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  You may need to stay in your room.

  But you may leave for tests or procedures that can't be done in your room. Precautions will be taken when you are outside your room to prevent the spread of infection.

Follow-up care is a key part of your treatment and safety. Be sure to make and go to all appointments, and call your doctor if you are having problems. It's also a good idea to know your test results and keep a list of the medicines you take.