Contact Precautions

Important information:

Contact precautions are safety measures to help prevent the spread of germs between patients. They are used for patients who have known or suspected infections spread by direct contact with a patient or contaminated surfaces. There will be a sign at your child’s bedside and/or on the door of your child’s room. This is to remind staff and visitors to perform hand hygiene (wash hands or use alcohol hand rub) well and often. In addition, the staff wears special clothing to prevent spreading germs to other patients.

What does the staff wear?

The staff will wear a gown and gloves while caring for your child. Upon leaving the room, they will remove their gloves and gown and place the gown in a linen hamper kept inside the room. They will then clean their hands using either soap and water or alcohol hand rub.

What should visitors wear?

Visitors do not need to wear gowns or gloves. It is very important for visitors to clean their hands well and often with soap and water or use alcohol hand rub. Visitors should avoid contact with other patients. Visitors will be screened for illness and will not be permitted to visit if they are sick.

Can my child leave the room?

While your child is on contact precautions, they cannot leave their room except for tests and procedures. Your child should wash their hands for at least 15 seconds with soap and water or use alcohol hand rub often. Your child does not need to wear a gown and gloves when leaving the room.

If my child has a roommate, does my child have an increased risk of infection?

No, because your child should not have contact with their roommate or their belongings. Wash hands with soap and water after using the bathroom.

Hospital staff caring for your child may not care for another child until they remove their gown and gloves and clean their hands.

For questions or concerns, contact a member of your child’s healthcare team.

Reviewed May 2024 by Maureen Mccloskey, RN, CIC, Lindsay Brim, CIC