Concept of

isolation

Microbiology Unit-V

M. Iqbal
Lecturer
KMU
 Objectives:
By the end of this unit, the learners will be able to:
• Define Isolation.
• Identify types of Isolation.
• Relate isolation to the chain of infection cycle.
• Identify nursing responsibilities in each type of
isolation.
 Isolation
• A state of separation between persons or
groups
• Definition: In health care, isolation refers to
various measures taken to prevent contagious
diseases from being spread from a patient to
other patients, health care workers, and
visitors, or from others to a particular patient.
 Types of isolation:
• Strict isolation
• Respiratory isolation
• Contact isolation
• Enteric Isolation
• Protective Isolation
• Body Fluid Isolation
Types of Isolation Indications Requirements

1. Strict Isolation -highly transmissible Private rooms

diseases by direct Gowns, mask, gloves,

contact and airborne hand washing

routes of transmission. Double bagged

techniques for soiled

articles.

2. Respiratory Isolation - droplet transmission Private rooms

Gowns, mask, gloves,

hand washing.
Patients with the same

organism generally may

share room.
Labeled plastic bags are

used for soiled articles.

3. Contact Isolation - infectious diseases Private rooms
or multiple resistant Gowns, mask,
micro organisms that gloves, handwashing
are spread by close
or direct contact.
4. Enteric Precautions - infectious disease Private room is required
transmitted through if the patient does not
direct or indirect contact practice good hygiene
with infected feces. measures.
Hand-washing

Gloves

Gowns should only be

worn when handling

objects contaminated
with feces.
5. Blood and Body - blood-borne, Gloves
Fluids Precautions body fluids Mask and

pathogens (blood, protective eye

semen, vaginal gears
secretions, CSF, Gown

synovial fluid, Contaminated

pleural fluid, needles should not

peritoneal fluid, be recapped
and pericardial Use puncture

fluid, amniotic fluid resistant

and tissues. containers for
used needles and
other sharp items.
 CHAIN OF INFECTION

PATIENT
Treatment
EMPLOYEE
Method of
ENVIRONMENT
Transmission
EQUIPMENT DISEAS
VISITORS E
Life Style
Direct Indirect

SOURCE
HOST