Protective Isolation, otherwise known as reverse barrier nursing, is the separation of a patient who is at high risk from diseases and organisms that are carried by others. The policy that is put into place helps to prevent a patient from infection from another patient.
An example of a patient who would require protective isolation is somebody who has a damaged immune system, which would make them more susceptible to catching diseases from other patients. The patient would need to be moved to a single room or ward, which contains a hand washbasin and a toilet. The door to the isolation room should be kept closed at all times, and only opened for entrances and exits that were vital for the care of the patient. The number of staff accessing the room would be kept to a bare minimum so as to limit the risk of further infection.
A member of staff who is nursing a patient with an infection should not be treating a patient who is in protective isolation. Furthermore, any staff with any infections should not be permitted into the room at any time. A notice stating that the patient in the room is in isolation should be clearly visible on the door of the room, and the situation should be closely and constantly monitored. All staff and visitors should be made aware of the protective isolation and the risks thereof. Staff members who are given access to the room should wear rubber gloves and masks for the extra security of the patient. Visitors are not usually allowed when a patient is in protective isolation.
An example of a patient who would require protective isolation is somebody who has a damaged immune system, which would make them more susceptible to catching diseases from other patients. The patient would need to be moved to a single room or ward, which contains a hand washbasin and a toilet. The door to the isolation room should be kept closed at all times, and only opened for entrances and exits that were vital for the care of the patient. The number of staff accessing the room would be kept to a bare minimum so as to limit the risk of further infection.
A member of staff who is nursing a patient with an infection should not be treating a patient who is in protective isolation. Furthermore, any staff with any infections should not be permitted into the room at any time. A notice stating that the patient in the room is in isolation should be clearly visible on the door of the room, and the situation should be closely and constantly monitored. All staff and visitors should be made aware of the protective isolation and the risks thereof. Staff members who are given access to the room should wear rubber gloves and masks for the extra security of the patient. Visitors are not usually allowed when a patient is in protective isolation.
