The use of protective isolation

Protective isolation denotes a range of practices used to protect immunocompromised hospital patients from infection. The decision to institute protective isolation will be made as part of an individualized plan of care, taking into account the reason for, the nature, degree and expected duration of immunosuppression of the affected person. This article examines protective isolation, when it might be implemented and the evidence for the use of single rooms. The issues of hand hygiene, food, drink and equipment are also discussed.