Isolation for infectious diarrhoea
Health Boards should ensure that appropriate steps are taken to isolate patients with potentially infectious diarrhoea.
- The NIPCM includes Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs), of which 'Patient Placement/Assessment for Infection Risk' is one of 10 core precautions. This requires that patients with potentially infectious diarrhoea are appropriately isolated (National Infection Prevention and Control Manual for Scotland (https://www.nipcm.hps.scot.nhs.uk/about-the-manual/)).
- The single-room policy for new-build hospitals supports the availability of isolation facilities for patients with infectious diarrhoea.
How was this evidence gathered?
Response
Accepted
Response
AcceptedSection 2.1 of the Scottish Government's response details the Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs), which are basic measures to reduce the risk of germ transmission. Among the 10 SICPs is "Patient placement in wards and bays," which directly addresses isolation. Furthermore, Section 3.1 notes that new-build hospitals are required to provide 100% single-room accommodation, and refurbished hospitals at least 50%, to reduce infection transmission risks.
Published Evidence
Published assessments of progress from inspectorates, select committees, official progress reports, and other sources. Source type badge indicates whether each assessment is independent or government self-reported.
NIPCM provides comprehensive guidance on isolation of patients with potentially infectious diarrhoea. Standard infection control precautions and transmission-based precautions detailed in the manual.
View detailed findings
NIPCM is continuously updated and provides the evidence base for isolation decisions across NHS Scotland.