ISOLATION WARD Meaning and
Definition
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An isolation ward is a designated area within a medical facility that is specifically designed and utilized for the treatment and quarantine of patients who are diagnosed with highly contagious or infectious diseases. It is an essential component of infection control measures implemented to prevent the spread of pathogens to other vulnerable individuals, both patients and medical staff.
Typically, an isolation ward is equipped with specialized amenities and features to ensure the safety and well-being of patients and those attending to them. These may include negative pressure rooms, which maintain a constant flow of air to prevent airborne pathogens from escaping, as well as separate ventilation and filtration systems. Adherence to stringent measures like wearing personal protective equipment such as face masks, gloves, gowns, and goggles or face shields is also mandatory within these wards.
Isolation wards aim to separate infected individuals from the general population to minimize the risk of transmitting diseases. Patients placed in isolation may exhibit symptoms such as high fever, severe respiratory distress, or other signs of acute contagious illnesses. The objective is to control the spread of infections, safeguard healthcare workers, and facilitate prompt diagnosis and treatment.
Restrictions on visitation are typically implemented in isolation wards, limiting access to only essential personnel. Infection control protocols are meticulously followed, including strict hand hygiene, sterilization of medical equipment, and waste disposal procedures. Isolation wards are integral in the prevention and containment of diseases, allowing for effective medical care and minimizing the transmission of infections within healthcare settings.
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A ward in a hospital or institution, usually a separate pavilion, where inmates suspected of coming down with a contagious disease are kept apart from the others.
A practical medical dictionary. By Stedman, Thomas Lathrop. Published 1920.
Common Misspellings for ISOLATION WARD
- usolation ward
- jsolation ward
- ksolation ward
- osolation ward
- 9solation ward
- 8solation ward
- iaolation ward
- izolation ward
- ixolation ward
- idolation ward
- ieolation ward
- iwolation ward
- isilation ward
- isklation ward
- isllation ward
- isplation ward
- is0lation ward
- is9lation ward
- isokation ward
- isopation ward
Etymology of ISOLATION WARD
The etymology of the word "isolation ward" can be traced back to the Latin word "insula", meaning "island". In medieval Latin, "insula" also referred to a separate part or enclosure. During the 17th century, it was adopted in English as "isolation" and used to describe the process of separating individuals with contagious diseases from the rest of the population. The term "ward" comes from the Old English "weard", which meant "guard" or "keeper". Therefore, the combination of "isolation" and "ward" formed the term "isolation ward" to describe a designated area in a hospital or medical facility where patients with contagious diseases are isolated and cared for.
