What type of precautions should be taken for patients with infections that are transmitted through direct contact?

Contact precautions are the appropriate measures to implement for patients with infections that are transmitted through direct contact. These types of infections can include illnesses such as MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), C. difficile, and other multidrug-resistant organisms.

The rationale for using contact precautions involves preventing the spread of infection via direct physical touch or indirect contact with surfaces and items that may be contaminated. Under these precautions, healthcare personnel are required to wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and gowns when entering the patient's room. Additionally, it is essential to ensure that patient care items and equipment are either dedicated to that patient or are properly cleaned and disinfected before use on another patient.

While droplet precautions and airborne precautions are critical for preventing the spread of infections that are transmitted through respiratory droplets or air, they are not applicable to infections spread through direct contact. Standard precautions, on the other hand, are fundamental infection control measures that apply to all patients, regardless of their infection status, but may not be sufficient alone for those specifically diagnosed with highly transmissible infections. Thus, contact precautions are specifically designed to address the needs of patients with direct contact infections.