Directions
Hospitals and other healthcare settings will often implement Transmission-Based Precautions to prevent or help reduce the spread of infections to healthcare workers, as well other patients in their care. These Transmission-Based Precautions are designed to supplement standard precautions in patients/residents with documented or suspected infection/colonization of highly transmissible or epidemiologically important pathogens. The three categories of Transmission-Based Precautions include:
Contact Precautions
Droplet Precautions
Airborne Precautions
Initial Post
For your initial post, choose one of the Transmission Based Precautions listed above to report on. Research your selection and provide answers to the following questions: When should the precaution be implemented? What type of personal protective equipment (PPE) should be used by a healthcare worker providing care to the patient? Are there any other considerations that apply when caring for a patient with this type of precaution?
Airborne Precautions
When Should Airborne Precautions Be Implemented?
Airborne precautions are necessary when caring for patients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted through the air over long distances. This includes diseases like tuberculosis (TB), measles, and varicella (chickenpox). These pathogens are capable of remaining infectious over long distances when suspended in the air.
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Healthcare workers should use the following PPE when providing care to patients under airborne precautions:
- N95 Respirator or Higher: An N95 respirator is designed to filter out 95% of airborne particles and should be properly fitted to ensure an airtight seal around the nose and mouth. In some cases, higher-level respirators like powered air-purifying respirators (PAPRs) may be used.
- Gloves: To protect against contact transmission if touching the patient or their environment.
- Gown: To protect skin and clothing from contact with infectious agents.
- Eye Protection: Goggles or face shields may be necessary if there is a risk of exposure to splashes or sprays of infectious materials.
Additional Considerations
- Negative Pressure Rooms: Patients under airborne precautions should be placed in a negative pressure room, also known as an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR). These rooms have special ventilation systems that prevent airborne pathogens from spreading to other areas of the healthcare facility.
- Limiting Transport: Transport of the patient outside of the isolation room should be limited. If transport is necessary, the patient should wear a surgical mask to reduce the risk of pathogen transmission.
- Environmental Controls: Proper maintenance of ventilation systems and ensuring that negative pressure is maintained in isolation rooms is crucial. Airborne pathogens can be spread through ventilation systems if they are not adequately maintained.
- Education and Training: Healthcare workers should receive ongoing training on the proper use of PPE and the implementation of airborne precautions. This includes fit testing for N95 respirators and procedures for donning and doffing PPE to avoid self-contamination.
- Visitor Policies: Visitors may need to follow similar precautions as healthcare workers, including wearing appropriate PPE and limiting their movement within the healthcare facility to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens.
Implementing airborne precautions effectively requires a combination of appropriate PPE, environmental controls, and rigorous adherence to infection prevention protocols to protect both healthcare workers and other patients from highly transmissible airborne pathogens.