What are contact precautions?

Contact precautions are a set of measures specifically implemented to prevent the spread of infectious agents that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with patients or their environment. These precautions are essential in healthcare settings where patients may have infections that can be easily spread to others, especially in close quarters.

When contact precautions are enacted, healthcare workers are required to utilize personal protective equipment, such as gloves and gowns, whenever they interact with the patient or come into contact with surfaces that may be contaminated. This protocol helps to mitigate the risk of transmission of pathogens from one individual to another, ensuring the safety of both patients and staff.

In contrast, other options mentioned do not specifically address the infection control strategy of contact precautions. Enhancing patient comfort, food safety practices, and general hygiene practices are important aspects of healthcare but do not focus on the prevention of infections in the same direct manner as contact precautions do.