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Sometimes standard precautions won't be enough to keep us safe, so additional measures are implemented. These are called “transmission-based precautions”.
There are 3 main types:
contact precautions
droplet precautions
airborne precautions
These are based off of the mode of transmission from the chain of infection learned in module 1. Patients will be placed under these additional precautions if they have an infectious disease. Knowing how the pathogen travels will help us take additional measures to keep our portals of entry safe.
You will know if a patient is under isolation precautions because there will be a sign on their door.
Below are examples of the different signs you could see on a patient's door.
Contact Precautions: For infections spread by direct or indirect contact
Ideally patients are in a private room or sharing with someone who has the same illness
Gowns and gloves required before entering the room for all patient contact
Dedicated equipment when possible
Examples of diseases spread by contact include MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile.
Droplet Precautions: For infections spread by large respiratory droplets.
Surgical mask when within 2 meters of patient
Private room preferred
Examples of diseases spread by droplets include influenza and pertussis.
Airborne Precautions: For infections spread by small airborne particles.
N95 respirator or higher-level protection
Negative pressure room when available
Examples of diseases spread through the air include tuberculosis and measles.
🧠THINK:
What if some had Tuberculosis and MRSA - what transmission-based precautions would the patient be under?
✏️Record your answer in your workbook. Also take note of the PPE requirements for each transmission-based precaution.
Answer:
MRSA = Contact precautions and Tuberculosis = airborne precautions
Therefore the patient would be under BOTH contact and airborne precations. We would put both signs on their door.
PPE required is N-95, gown, gloves.
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