Transmission-Based Precautions Door Signage
Clostridioides (Clostridium) difficile Toolkit for Long-term Care Facilities

Guidelines for facilities

Communication of Transmission-Based Precautions on a resident’s door are important to alert health care professionals and other visitors that they must take additional precautions. These signs must NOT disclose private health information, but should be general, such as “CONTACT PRECAUTIONS” or “STOP, SEE NURSE BEFORE ENTERING”, etc.

• Signage should:
  • Be uniform throughout the facility
  • Be printed (not handwritten)
  • Remain in place until terminal disinfection of the room has occurred
  • Include the type of precautions necessary
• All staff members in the facility will be in-serviced on sign usage.
• Family members often feel a certain amount of stigma attached to signage placed on their loved one’s door. Education on procedures for Infection Prevention and Control activities will occur on admission and educational materials should be added to admission packets.
• When residents are placed in Transmission-Based Precautions, families will be notified and organism-specific materials will be provided to enhance their understanding.
• In order to prevent stigmatizing residents with C. diff, some facilities use signs that are color-coded based on the pathogen. For instance, green signs are for C. diff, blue signs for MRSA, etc.