CONTACT ISOLATION

CONTACT ISOLATION
CONTACT
ISOLATION
Contact isolation is initiated

when a patient is suspected

or known to be infected

with microorganisms that

can be transmitted by :

• Direct contact

RESOURCES
• Indirect contact www.cdc.com
CTVHCS Infection Control Staff

February 2007
 CONTACT
ISOLATION
Direct-contact transmission
involves a direct body surface-to-body
surface contact and physical transfer of
microorganisms between a susceptible
host and an infected or colonized
person, such as occurs when a person
turns a patient, gives a patient a bath, or
performs other patient-care activities
that require direct personal contact. It
also can occur between two patients,
with one serving as the source of
infectious microorganisms and the
other as a susceptible host.
Indirect-contact transmission
involves contact of a susceptible host
with a contaminated intermediate
object, usually inanimate, such as
contaminated instruments, needles, or
dressings, or contaminated hands that
are not washed and gloves that are
not changed between patients.
Contact Precautions
• Patient placement: place the patient in
a private room when available or in a
room with a patient (s) who has active
infection with the same microorganism
but with no other infection (cohorting).
• Gloves and Hand washing:
during the course of providing care for a
patient, change gloves after having
contact with infective material and wash
hands with an antimicrobial agent or
waterless antiseptic agent.
• Wear a clean and non-sterile gown :
after gown removal, ensure that clothing
does not touch contaminated surfaces.