What are Droplet Precautions
Droplet precautions are rules that help to protect people from germs that come from the mouth, lungs, throat, or airways.
What are the rules for patients?
- Check with your nurse or doctor before you leave the room where you are being treated.
- Wear a mask if you go to another part of the hospital or clinic. Make sure the mask fits tightly.
- Cover your mouth with a tissue when you cough.
- Cover your nose with a tissue when you sneeze.
- Try to stay at least 3 ft (1 m) away from another person while talking.
- Wash your hands often with soap and water. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
Check with a doctor or nurse before you go into a room that has a sign that says “droplet precautions.”
- If you can go into the room, wash your hands and wear a mask over your nose and mouth. Make sure the mask fits tightly. You may also be told to wear eye protection.
- Do nottake off your mask in the room. If you were told to wear eye protection, do nottake it off in the room.
- Do noteat or drink in the room unless you ask a doctor or nurse first.
- Do nottouch anything in the room unless you ask a doctor or nurse first.
- Right
after you leave the room:
- Take off your mask and throw it in the trash. If you were told to wear eye protection, take it off and throw it in the trash.
- Then, wash your hands with soap and water. If you cannot use soap and water, use hand sanitizer.
