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Tip of the week: Educate visitors about isolation precautions policy

Infection Control Monitor, October 5, 2007

Regardless of whether your hospital decides to ask all visitors to wear a gown and gloves when visiting a patient on isolation precautions or puts more emphasis on hand hygiene, you need to get visitors to comply with your policy.

To accomplish this, you first need to ensure that you offer the proper education and support. "For the most part, patients are willing to comply," says Marysia Meylan, BSN, MSPH, CIC, an independent consultant in Santa Monica, CA. "And generally, visitors follow the rules; they do what they are told."

But patients and visitors are both more likely to comply if they understand the reasons behind the rules.

To learn more about the pros and cons of visitors wearing personal protective equipment, go to www.hcpro.com/content/77228.cfm. The cost is $10. Briefings on Infection Control subscribers received this story with their subscriptions.

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