Synopsis
Recognise transmission risk and healthcare-associated infection early, choose proportionate isolation and personal protective equipment, and preserve essential clinical care while preventing spread.
- Standard infection-control precautions apply to every patient: hand hygiene, respiratory etiquette, sharps safety, environmental cleaning and risk-based protective equipment.
- Add contact, droplet or airborne precautions from the suspected route and procedure, then refine when the diagnosis and infectious period are clearer.
- A single room is a clinical intervention with communication, mobility and psychological harms; review the indication and stop isolation when national and local criteria are no longer met.
Key red flags
Acute diarrhoea, draining wounds, uncontrolled secretions or resistant-organism carriage creates hand and environmental contamination risk requiring prompt contact measures.
Investigation priorities
Determine whether infection is present, where it began and which contacts or procedures are relevant.
Management branches
Symptoms, exposure or microbiology suggests contact, droplet or airborne spread.
- Perform immediate risk assessment, place the patient appropriately, display clear precautions, provide required PPE and inform infection prevention without delaying urgent care.
- Obtain targeted diagnostic samples, document onset and movement history and identify high-risk roommates, staff procedures or visitors.