What PPE is required for contact isolation?

• A. Goggles and mask; perform hand hygiene.
• B. Gloves and gown; hand hygiene.
• C. Gloves and gown; perform hand hygiene before and after patient contact.
• D. Gloves only; hand hygiene.

Answer: (C)

For contact isolation, the goal is to prevent transmission through direct contact with the patient or contaminated surfaces. The protective outfit should include gloves to shield your hands and a gown to protect your clothes and skin from contact with the patient or their environment. Hand hygiene is essential and should occur both before you touch the patient (to prevent introducing organisms) and after you finish contact (to avoid spreading organisms to others or to your next patient). Eye protection or a mask isn’t routinely required for standard contact precautions unless there’s a specific risk of splashes or a pathogen that warrants it. So the correct approach is gloves and gown, with hand hygiene before and after patient contact.