According to the infection prevention team, the "Red Box" safety zone consists of a 3-foot square of red duct tape that extends from the doors of those patients who have contracted infections.  This allows communication with patients in isolation while conserving resources.

Currently, most hospitals have rules in place that require health care professionals to wear personal protective equipment before they enter the room of a patient who is in isolation due to infection.  Health officials need to be properly equipped so that they can prevent any chance of cross infection.  However, wearing special personal protective gear to see a patient who is in isolation can be cumbersome.  It can also be expensive.

The findings of the study were published at the 38th Annual Education Conference and International Meeting of the APIC.  The study found that the hospital would save about 2,700 hours a year by using this safe zone system.  Further, a hospital could save as much as $110,000 a year from this technique. 

Using a Red Box safety zone around the person’s room can provide health care professionals an additional visual cue informing them of the need to exercise contact safety precautions.  Earlier, there was only a sign outside a patient’s door to indicate that a patient was suffering from an infection, and that doctors and nurses needed to maintain precautions.  The Red Zone is more noticeable, and provides stronger visual cues to medical professionals.