Isolation may be used in addition to transmission-based and standard precautions where the suspected or confirmed presence of infectious agents represents an increased risk of transmission. As isolation may be stressful and demoralising for the resident, explaining why it is required is essential.

Isolation Checklist

Several questions must be asked to ensure that the critical points of isolation precautions are not missed, whatever the circumstances.

Is a single room available?

What is the route by which the infection spreads?

What is the mix of residents in the facility?

What are the staffing levels?

What general facilities (i.e., hand hygiene facilities) are available?

Is there a real risk to other residents, relatives, or employees?

Is there any other risk to the resident if isolation precautions are instituted?

Which of these risks is greater?

Does there need to be any modification due to the resident's condition or the facilities available?

Measures To Take

Isolation of a resident should only occur after a risk assessment has been undertaken. Isolation will require a combination of measures used in transmission-based precautions depending on the route(s) of transmission of the infectious agent involved and include

Continued implementation of standard precautions

Appropriate use of PPE (including gloves, apron or gowns, surgical masks or high filtration masks, and protective eyewear)

Resident-dedicated equipment

Allocation of single rooms or cohorting of residents

Enhanced cleaning and disinfecting of the resident environment

Diagnosed infectious residents are not to be nursed in the same room with other residents who have invasive devices in situ, with immunosuppressed residents, or with residents who have had recent surgical intervention or are to undergo any invasive surgical procedures.

Single-Room Isolation

Single-room isolation is used when

The resident has an airborne, droplet, or contact communicable disease

Infective material cannot be adequately contained

The resident's hygiene is poor, placing themselves and others at risk

Selected residents with neutropenia

It is at the Doctor's request