Contact and Droplet Precautions

In addition to Standard Precautions, use a combonation of Contact and Droplet Precautions in the care of patients known or suspected to have illnesses like ________________________________.

Illnesses requiring contact precautions may include, but are not limited to: ________________________________.

Additional Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Contact with Droplet Precautions

Contact with Droplet precatutions are in addition to Standard Precautions

Gloves

• Wear gloves when touching the patient and the patient’s immediate environment or belongings
• Remove gloves promptly after use and discard before touching non-contaminated items or environmental surfaces, and before providing care to another patient
• Wash hands immediately after removing gloves

Gowns

• Wear a fluid resistant, non-sterile gown if substantial contact with the patient or their environment is anticipated.
• Do not wear the same gown for the care of more than one patient

Masks and Respirators

• Wear a facemask, such as a procedure or surgical mask, for close contact (within 3 feet of the patient) with the patient; the facemask should be donned upon entering the exam room

Other Face and Eye Protection

• Wear eye protection (goggles and/or face shields) for potential splash or spray of blood, respiratory secretions, or other body fluids.
• Personal eyeglasses and contact lenses are not considered adequate eye protection
• May use goggles with facemasks

Additional PPE might be required in certain situations (e.g., copious amounts of blood, other body fluids, vomit, or feces present in the environment), including but not limited to double gloving, disposable shoe covers, and leg coverings.

Additional Procedures

Private Room

• Place patient in private room or cohort with patients infected or colonized with the same organism if needed.

Patient

• Instruct patient to wear a facemask when exiting the exam room, avoid coming into close contact with other patients, and practice respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette
• Instruct patients with known or suspected infectious diarrhea to use a separate bathroom, if available; clean/disinfect the bathroom before it can be used again
  

see also>>Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for Infection Control