The Red Box Strategy: An Innovative Method to Improve Isolation Precaution Compliance and Reduce Costs

The Red Box strategy was created to help reduce cost and health care worker time associated with having to unnecessarily don and doff personal protective equipment (PPE) while still providing quality care.

Using evidence-based practices, the hospital's infection prevention team implemented a three foot square “safe zone” using red duct tape in the doorways of patients in contact isolation rooms to serve as a visual cue from which health care workers can communicate with patients without having to put on PPE.

During a two year analysis of the Red Box strategy, Trinity saved up to 2,700 staffing hours (time previously spent unnecessarily donning PPE) and significantly reduced personal protective equipment costs annually. It allowed staff to respond faster to patient requests, lessened communication barriers and increased patient and staff satisfaction.

This case study is part of the Illinois Hospital Association's annual quality awards. Each year, IHA recognizes and celebrates the achievements of Illinois hospitals in continually improving and transforming health care in the state. These hospitals are improving health by striving to achieve the Triple Aim--improving the patient experience of care (including quality and satisfaction); improving the health of populations; and reducing the per capita cost of health care.

Award recipients achieve measurable and meaningful progress in providing care that is:

• Safe
• Timely
• Effective
• Efficient
• Equitable
• Patient-centered

(The Institute of Medicine's six aims for improvement.)