Contact isolation (EN) Contact isolation (EN)

What does contact isolation mean for you as a patient?

You have been admitted to Isala. While staying in the hospital, you will come into contact with hospital staff, other patients and equipment. In the hospital you may be exposed to certain types of microorganisms (i.e. bacteria, viruses and fungi), which you or your fellow patients carry naturally. These microorganisms can sometimes cause infections.

During contact isolation, staff members wear gloves and aprons when they come into contact with you. Depending on your indication, contact isolation will take place in a single or shared room.
In principle, you will remain in your room. However, you may leave your room for rehabilitation in consultation with the nurse.

In principle, examinations or tests taking place in other departments of the hospital can still proceed. The nurse will notify the department in question about your visit so that measures can also be taken there if necessary.

When is contact isolation necessary?

Contact isolation is used for patients with diseases caused by microorganisms (bacteria and viruses) that are spread through direct and indirect contact. In certain cases, contact isolation may be applied on the basis of your symptoms (e.g. infectious diarrhea) or if you are a (possible) carrier of a highly resistant bacteria.

When is cohort contact isolation necessary?

When multiple patients on a ward are suspected of (possible) contamination with the same microorganism, a decision may be made to employ cohort contact isolation. In this case, isolation measures of gloves and apron will be taken during contact between the healthcare staff and all patients on the ward.

Implementation of contact isolation

When implementing contact isolation, the nurse will discuss the following with you:

• The reason for isolation
• The duration of isolation
• The measures that have to be taken by the healthcare staff
• The measures that have to be taken by your visitors
• The times at which the nurse will visit you
• The conditions under which the isolation can be terminated.

Measures after dismissal

Isolation measures will no longer be required once you have gone home.
If you go to a nursing home or care home, or will be receiving home care after being discharged from hospital, the organizations concerned will be informed about the correct measures.

What does contact isolation mean for you as a visitor?

If you would like to visit a patient being cared for in contact isolation, you may visit him/her as usual.
However, the physician must be consulted before any visits by children less than 12 years of age.

You must report to the ward nurse prior to the visit. The ward nurse will instruct you on the measures to be taken and ensure that they are observed.
You must disinfect your hands with hand alcohol after the visit, before leaving the room.

If you work in a healthcare setting yourself, it is recommended that you take the same measures as staff members.
If you are visiting more than one person in the hospital, we request that you visit the patient in contact isolation last.

Finally

• The visiting hours can be extended in consultation with the nurse.
• It can be nice to read, do puzzles, listen to music, etc. Also consider needlework materials, writing utensils, paper, stamps and your mobile phone. Wireless internet is also available.

If you have any questions or problems related to the isolation, please feel free to speak to the nurse or the attending physician.

Isala Zwolle
Dokter van Heesweg 2
8025 AB Zwolle
Postbus 10400
8000 GK Zwolle

Isala Diaconessenhuis Meppel
Hoogeveenseweg 38
7943 KA Meppel
Postbus 502
7940 AM Meppel