Contact Precautions

Standard Precautions plus:

• Place the patient in a private room or with someone with the same infection, if possible.
• Wear gloves when entering the room. Change gloves after contact with infective material.
• Wear a gown when entering the room if contact with patient is anticipated or if the patient has diarrhea, a colostomy or wound drainage not covered by a dressing.
• Limit the movement or transport of the patient from the room.
• Ensure that patient-care items, bedside equipment, and frequently touched surfaces receive daily cleaning.
• Dedicate use of non-critical patient-care equipment (such as stethoscopes) to a single patient, or group of patients with the same pathogen. If not feasible, adequate disinfection between patients is necessary.

Biothreat Diseases requiring Contact Precautions: Viral Hemorrhagic Fevers