Key points
- Assess all patients on admission for infection risk and complete the infection control admission risk assessment which is under corporate templates on the clinical tree in SystmOne.
- Continue to review infection risk throughout the admission.
- Inform the IPC team of any patients requiring specific placement (isolation) for infection reasons:
- Email: rdash.ipcteam@nhs.net
- Telephone: 03000 214872
- Seek advice from the IPC team if the patient cannot or will not isolate.
- Isolate for the shortest possible time to avoid a deterioration in the patients mental health and review regularly.
Categories of isolation
- Source isolation, the infectious or colonised patient is isolated to prevent cross infection to other non-affected individuals.
- Protective isolation, this is used to protect a susceptible patient where their immune system is compromised to avoid infection from others.
Priority for a single room
- Patients with airborne transmissible infections such as influenza, SARS-CoV-2, chickenpox, measles and so on.
- Patients with, or suspected infection, colonisation with multiple antibiotic resistant organisms.
- Diarrhoea or vomiting.
- Patients with MRSA in sputum who are coughing or have exfoliating skin conditions.
IPC precautions
- Refer to NIPCM for guidance relating to transmission based precautions.
- Ensure doors to isolation rooms are kept closed. If patient safety is compromised, a documented risk assessment must be completed and reviewed at every shift.
- Ensure appropriate signage is displayed on the door to the isolation room/bay without compromising patient confidentiality.
- Ensure adequate provision and appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE).
- Only cohort nurse for the shortest possible time to minimise risk of re-infection or re-colonisation.
- Avoid moving patients unless clinically necessary.
- Avoid non-essential treatments, therapies and appointments. For urgent, essential treatments the receiving organisation/department and transport provider must be informed that isolation precautions are in place.
- Undertake a terminal clean of rooms once isolation is completed or the patient is discharged or transferred elsewhere.
Refer to quick guide:
- Terminal cleaning guide or checklist
Refer to supporting documents:
- Chlor-clean poster
- Isolation poster
- Isolation room cleaning checklist
Page last reviewed: March 12, 2024
Next review due: March 12, 2025