Strict Isolation– What to Do

Your child is in isolation because a virus living in their body could spread easily to others. The flu virus can be spread through coughing or sneezing.

Your child should:

• Stay in the room, except when having tests or procedures done.
• Cover their mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing.

You, the parent or primary caregiver, should:

• Have only primary caregivers stay with your child at this time. Anyone who is not a primary caregiver, including siblings, may not visit.
• Identify another primary caregiver if you have any symptoms of illness. Do not visit until you no longer have symptoms. Let your child’s nurse know right away if you start to feel ill.
• Stay in your child’s room as much as possible to avoid spreading germs. You may visit in the room without wearing a gown or gloves.
• Clean your hands well with soap and water or hand sanitizer gel (in the wall-mounted dispensers) right before leaving the room and then leave the unit right away.
• Do not go into other patients’ rooms or allow the families of other patients to come into your child’s room.
• Do not use shared patient spaces or supplies like the unit family lounges, linen carts or supply carts. Please ask staff to bring you supplies or food items as needed.
• If you are not ill, you may use public areas of the hospital such as the cafeteria, visitor bathrooms, gift shop, patios, lobbies, or Starbuck’s coffee shops. Please walk directly from your child’s room to these public spaces without using shared patient spaces on the unit.
• Wash your hands or use hand sanitizer gel often, especially after you or your child cough, blow your nose or use the bathroom.

We understand that isolation can be hard on families. Child Life staff can bring toys and activities to your child’s room. Talk to your child’s nurse if you have any questions or concerns.