Isolation (health care)
Encyclopedia
In health care, isolation refers to various measures taken to prevent contagious disease
s from being spread from a patient
to other patients, health care workers, and visitors, or from others to a particular patient. Various forms of isolation exist, some of which contact procedures are modified, and others in which the patient is kept away from all others.
Isolation is most commonly used when a patient has a viral illness. Special equipment is used in the treatment of patients on the various forms of isolation. These most commonly include gowns
, masks
, and gloves.
, and in some cases, a gown
.Those having contact with or exposure to such a patient are required to wear a mask.
.
Contagious disease
A contagious disease is a subset category of infectious diseases , which are easily transmitted by physical contact with the person suffering the disease, or by their secretions or objects touched by them....
s from being spread from a patient
Patient
A patient is any recipient of healthcare services. The patient is most often ill or injured and in need of treatment by a physician, advanced practice registered nurse, veterinarian, or other health care provider....
to other patients, health care workers, and visitors, or from others to a particular patient. Various forms of isolation exist, some of which contact procedures are modified, and others in which the patient is kept away from all others.
Isolation is most commonly used when a patient has a viral illness. Special equipment is used in the treatment of patients on the various forms of isolation. These most commonly include gowns
Cleanroom suit
A clean room suit, cleanroom suit, or bunny suit, is an overall garment worn in a clean room. One common type is an all-in-one coverall worn by semiconductor and nanotechnology line production workers, technicians, and process / equipment engineers, as well as people in similar roles creating...
, masks
Surgical mask
A surgical mask also known as a procedure mask is intended to be worn by health professionals during surgery and at other times to catch the bacteria shed in liquid droplets and aerosols from the wearer's mouth and nose....
, and gloves.
Strict isolation
Strict isolation is used for diseases spread through the air and in some cases by contact Patients must be placed in isolation to prevent the spread of infectious diseases. Those who are kept in strict isolation are often kept in a special room at the facility designed for that purpose. Such rooms are equipped with a special lavatory and caregiving equipment, and a sink and waste disposal are provided for workers upon leaving the area.Contact isolation
Is used to prevent the spread of diseases that can be spread through contact with open wounds. Health care workers making contact with a patient on contact isolation are required to wear glovesMedical gloves
Medical gloves are disposable gloves used during medical examinations and procedures that help prevent contamination between caregivers and patients. Medical gloves are made of different polymers including latex, nitrile rubber, vinyl and neoprene; they come unpowdered, or powdered with cornstarch...
, and in some cases, a gown
Hospital gown
A hospital gown, also known as a patient gown, exam gown, johnny shirt or johnny gown, is a short-sleeved, thigh-length garment worn by patients in hospitals and other medical facilities.-Utility:...
Respiratory isolation
Respiratory isolation is used for diseases that are spread through particles that are exhaledExhalation
Exhalation is the movement of air out of the bronchial tubes, through the airways, to the external environment during breathing....
.Those having contact with or exposure to such a patient are required to wear a mask.
Blood and body fluids precautions
Used when there is concern about communicable diseases found in a patient's body fluid. Health care workers making contact with the patient when body fluids are involved must wear glovesMedical gloves
Medical gloves are disposable gloves used during medical examinations and procedures that help prevent contamination between caregivers and patients. Medical gloves are made of different polymers including latex, nitrile rubber, vinyl and neoprene; they come unpowdered, or powdered with cornstarch...
.
Reverse isolation
Reverse isolation is a method to prevent a patient in a compromised health situation from being contaminated by other people or objects.Effects of isolation
Isolation can have the following effects on patients:- Patient may not be able to receive visitors
- Patient may become lonely
- Patient may be anxious
- Small children may feel their isolation is a punishment
- Staff may need to spend more time with patients
- Patients may not be able to receive certain types of care due to the risk that other patients may become contaminated. This includes forms of care that involve use of equipment common to all patients at the facility, or that involve transporting the patient to an area of the facility common to all patients.