Droplet precautions are needed to prevent the spread of a patient’s illness to family members, visitors, staff members, and other patients. A patient will be placed on droplet precautions when he or she has an infection with germs that can be spread to others by speaking, sneezing, or coughing. Everyone coming into the room of a patient under droplet precautions will be asked to wear a mask to prevent the spread of germs to themselves. Hand washing is another important part of droplet precautions to keep everyone’s hands clean and to avoid spreading germs through touching other people or objects in the patient’s room, such as door knobs, light switches, or patient care equipment.