Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control mnemonic

Transmission-based precautions

The mnemonic

Contact, Droplet, Airborne

What each word stands for

  • ContactGloves and gown: MRSA, C. difficile, scabies
  • DropletSurgical mask: influenza, meningococcus, pertussis
  • AirborneN95 and negative-pressure room: tuberculosis, measles, varicella

Why it matters clinically

Chooses the right protective equipment for isolation of a patient in a ward.

Where it stops being reliable

Standard precautions apply to all patients, and some diseases need more than one category.

Teaching aid, still awaiting independent review. Confirm facts in a standard source.

More mnemonics

Common questions

What is the Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control mnemonic?

Contact, Droplet, Airborne. It helps you recall: Transmission-based precautions.

What does "Contact" stand for?

Gloves and gown: MRSA, C. difficile, scabies

What does "Droplet" stand for?

Surgical mask: influenza, meningococcus, pertussis

What does "Airborne" stand for?

N95 and negative-pressure room: tuberculosis, measles, varicella

What are all the parts of the Contact, Droplet, Airborne mnemonic?

Contact: Gloves and gown: MRSA, C. difficile, scabies; Droplet: Surgical mask: influenza, meningococcus, pertussis; Airborne: N95 and negative-pressure room: tuberculosis, measles, varicella.

Which topic does this mnemonic belong to?

It belongs to Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control in Microbiology.

Where does this mnemonic stop being reliable?

Standard precautions apply to all patients, and some diseases need more than one category.

How is this useful clinically?

Chooses the right protective equipment for isolation of a patient in a ward.

How do I make this mnemonic stick?

Say it aloud, write it from memory tomorrow, then again in a week. Then test yourself on a Microbiology question about Clinical microbiology and hospital infection control.

Is this a standard mnemonic?

It is a teaching aid written or adapted by our team. Some resemble ones students share informally. Check any fact that matters in a standard source.