What technique is used to protect patients from harmful organisms in the environment?

The technique utilized to safeguard patients from harmful organisms in the environment is reverse isolation. This method is designed for individuals who have weakened immune systems, such as those undergoing chemotherapy or organ transplants, where exposing them to potentially harmful pathogens can lead to serious infections due to their reduced ability to fight off illness.

Reverse isolation creates a controlled environment, minimizing the risk of exposure to infectious agents from external sources. It involves restrictions on who can enter the patient's space and often includes the use of barriers such as masks or gowns for visitors and healthcare personnel. The focus is on keeping the environment as germ-free as possible to protect these vulnerable patients.

Prophylaxis, quarantine, and cleansing, while important in their own right, do not specifically focus on protecting at-risk patients from environmental pathogens in the same way reverse isolation does. Prophylaxis typically refers to preventive measures against diseases, quarantine involves isolating individuals who may have been exposed to a contagious disease, and cleansing is about removing dirt and microbes but does not encompass the comprehensive protective measures employed in reverse isolation.