In the second of our clinical updates on infection control, Jennie Wilson describes the measures that are necessary for the appropriate care of patients being nursed in isolation

Infection is a common problem in hospitals, with approximately 10 per cent of patients acquiring an infection during their stay. Routine infection control practices are designed to limit cross-infection. But some infections, known as infectious or contagious diseases, are easily transmitted from person to person. Patients may acquire such an infection while in hospital, but are more commonly admitted because of it.