Notes

Isolation Units
Patients with communicable diseases are often placed into private rooms for isolation. This practice helps prevent the spread of communicable diseases to health care workers and other patients. Health care facilities must establish specific regulations for working in isolation units. Health care workers must always use thee special precautions outlined by their facility.

Meals in an Isolation Unit
Certain rules must be followed when providing meals to patients placed in isolation. In most facilities, meals for patients on transmission-based precautions are delivered to the nurse’s station. These trained healthcare workers take the meals to the patient’s bedside. Additionally, most facilities require the use of disposable food trays and eating utensils. The disposable trays and utensils are then discarded in designated waste containers inside the patient’s room to prevent exposure to healthcare workers and dietary staff. Leftover food and beverages should never be taken outside of the patient’s room for storage or refrigeration. Liquids should be poured into the sink. Food should be placed in a designated trash can and disposed of according to facility policy.

Working in an Isolation Unit
Most of the procedures that take place in isolation units require two healthcare workers. One worker will go into the room, and the other worker will wait outside the door. The worker inside the room will perform necessary tasks, such as collecting trash and soiled linens, helping the patient eat, and taking vital signs. When items must be removed from the room, the worker will collect the items in a biohazardous waste bag. The worker will then open the door and place the waste bag into another biohazardous waste bag that is being held by the second worker. The double-bagging technique helps to prevent the spread of dangerous pathogens. Another way to prevent the spread of pathogens is by removing all protective garments while still inside the isolation room. If a healthcare worker removes the garments outside the isolation room, pathogens can easily spread to other areas of the hospital.

Procedure to Transfer Soiled Linens
Soiled linens must be removed from isolation units with special care. Individual agencies may have specific procedures that their employees must follow. The following process is an example of a soiled linens procedure that might be found at an agency.
1. The first worker must put on transmission-based garments and then enter the room.
2. The second worker will wait outside the door with a biohazardous laundry bag. The top of the bag must be cuffed over the
worker's hands.
3. The first worker will gather and roll dirty linens in the room.
4. The linens should be placed inside a linen hamper bag. When all linens have been collected, the bag must be sealed.
5. The first worker will open the door and carefully place the linen hamper bag into the biohazardous laundry bag that is being
held by the second worker. The two workers should not touch during this transfer.
6. The second worker will fold over the top of the outer laundry bag and tape the top shut. The bag must be labeled
"Biohazardous Linen" and sent to be disinfected.
7. The first worker must stay in the room and remove transmission-based garments.
8. When the garments have been removed, the first worker must wash hands and use a clean paper towel to open the door and exit the room.
9. Both workers must cleanse hands when the procedure is finished.

Procedure to Transfer Trash
Trash must be emptied from an isolation unit each day. Individual agencies may have specific procedures that their employees must follow. The following process is an example of a trash procedure that might be found at an agency.
1. The first worker must put on transmission-based garments and then enter the room.
2. The second worker will wait at the door with a biohazardous waste bag. The top of the bag must be cuffed over the worker's hands.
3. The first worker will gather all trash and infectious waste and place the items into a biohazardous waste bag. The top of the
bag must be secured with a knot after all trash is collected.
4. The first worker will open the door and carefully place the waste bag into the biohazardous waste bag that is being held by
the second worker. The two workers should not touch during this transfer.
5. The second worker will fold over the top of the outer waste bag and tape the top shut. The bag must then be sent to be burned.
6. The first worker must stay in the room and remove transmission-based garments.
7. When the garments have been removed, the first worker must wash hands and use a clean paper towel to open the door and
exit the room.
8. Both workers must cleanse hands when the procedure is finished.