What it means
The CDC's name for a room designed for clients who have had a stem cell (bone marrow) transplant, and used by many hospitals for others with very low white blood cell counts. Air is pushed out of the room rather than in (positive pressure), is passed through HEPA filters and is changed many times an hour. Nurses also call these measures protective isolation, reverse isolation or neutropenic precautions.
For the nurse
Do strict hand hygieneHAND HY-jeenCleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.Full entry , keep the door closed, keep staff and visitors with any illness away, and keep fresh flowers and live plants out of the room. Check the client's temperature often and report any fever.
At a glance
| Also written | protective isolation, reverse isolation, neutropenic precautions |
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Related terms
precaution
A step taken ahead of time to prevent harm, such as the infection-control practices used with every client.
hand hygiene
Cleaning the hands with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub.
bone marrow
The soft, spongy tissue inside bones that makes blood cells.
immunodeficiency
A state in which the immune system is weaker than normal and cannot fight infection well.