Download Isolation-of-patients-protocol July 2015

Castlefields Surgery
Drs Holden Domville McCosh & Paterson
Infection Prevention: Isolation of Patients Protocol
There will be times when it is appropriate to isolate a patient away from other patients and
the surgery where possible provides a room or private area where the patient can wait.
However this must not be in any office where any sensitive data is available to view or
where any consultations or anything medical can be overheard or where they can wander
undetected. This should also be away from staff areas.
Circumstances where isolation may be appropriate:

Patients with conditions such as Chicken Pox should be routinely isolated.

Patients with other medical conditions such as Cancer or are immunosuppressant
should be kept way from patients with infections and arrangements to separate them
should be routine.
Process to follow if receptionist ascertains or suspects transmissible infectious disease
present:
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Receptionist to take patient information and advise that reception or clinician will call
back
Inform clinician and arrange appointment if necessary or advice/clinician call back
If appointment necessary arrange time and ensure separate room available
If room not available and patient has transport, advise patient to wait in car until
appointment
Use separate entrance if necessary
Process to follow immunocompromised patients:
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Clinician informs via patient note task to reception to arrange an appointment with the
patient
Receptionists arranges appointment after ensuring space available for isolation
A note is made on the appointment screen that patient requires isolation when arriving
for appointment
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Castlefields Surgery
Drs Holden Domville McCosh & Paterson
Isolation of patient in other circumstances
There are many such scenarios where it is appropriate to isolate a patient a sensitive and
individual approach to each circumstance should be adopted.
When making the decision it must not be viewed by anyone as being confrontational or
discriminatory. Some scenarios are listed below but are not exhaustive.

There will be times when patients are upset when they turn up at the surgery and
they may ask for some privacy as they cannot face a public waiting area or you may
ask them if they would like to wait somewhere quiet.

There are times when a mother wishes to breastfeed and asks to be isolated.

There are patients that may have behavioural issues and it is in every ones interest
that this patient is isolated. It may be appropriate to put an alert on the patient’s
record so it can be done as a matter of routine.
Review Responsibility: Practice Manager
Review date: July 2015
Review due: July 2017
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