Droplet Precautions

Important information:

Droplet precautions are safety measures to help prevent the spread of germs between patients. They are used for patients with a known or suspected infection carried by respiratory droplets. Your child can spread these droplets when they cough, sneeze, and talk. These droplets may be in the air for short distances, usually less than 3 feet. For that reason, special precautions are taken to prevent the germs from spreading.

How can I help to prevent the spread of these germs?

It is very important to clean your hands properly. Hand washing, or using an alcohol hand rub, before and after all contact with your child will help prevent the spread of these germs.

What type of special precautions will be used?

There will be a sign on the door of your child's room to make staff and visitors aware of these precautions. Wash your hands with soap and water or use alcohol hand rub often. This helps to reduce the spread of germs.

Staff will wear a mask when caring for your child. Upon leaving, the staff will remove their mask and discard it. They will wash their hands with soap and water or use alcohol hand rub to clean their hands.

Are visitors allowed?

Please try to limit your visitors. There may be times when your child’s medical team will ask that there be no visitors until your child is better. Visitors, including parents and guardians, may not visit other patient’s rooms or bedsides. If visitors will be at the patient's bedside, they should check with your child's nurse to see if they should wear a mask. If a mask is needed, visitors should remove their mask and then wash their hands or use an alcohol hand rub before leaving the room.

Can we leave the room?

Your child may not leave the room except for tests and procedures. If your child needs to leave the room for a test, they must wear a regular surgical mask and wash their hands for at least 15 seconds with soap and water or use an alcohol hand rub, covering all surfaces of the hands and letting it dry. Your child is not allowed in the playroom or other common areas, like the kitchen.

Children younger than 14 years old who are visiting patients on isolation precautions must stay in the patient’s room and may not go to the playroom, family rooms or bridge area. Family members and visitors 14 years and older of patients on isolation precautions may go to the kitchen after washing their hands or using an alcohol-based hand rub.

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

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