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personnel in the room during the procedure. • Closed endotracheal suction systems should be used wherever possible. • In an emergency situation when an airborne isolation room is not available; at a minimum pull the privacy curtains and all personnel to wear N95 respirator. Remove visitors and other patients from the room/area. Infection Prevention and Control Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions) Page 4 Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client. c) Intubated and ventilated patients • An appropriate bacterial filter should be placed on the endotracheal tube to prevent contamination of the ventilator and the ambient air. • Endotracheal suctioning should be performed using a closed suction apparatus, where possible. 4.2 Hand Hygiene Perform hand hygiene as per hand hygiene guidelines IF0200. 4.3 Patient placement and accommodation: • Place patient in airborne isolation room • The airborne isolation room should have a toilet and sink for the patient, and a designated hand washing sink for healthcare workers. • Monitoring – ensure pressure differentials are correct and indicators/alarms are activated. 4.4 Patient flow/transport • Communication is essential when a patient goes to another department for testing, to another unit or to other healthcare settings/facilities. This communication must include Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff and other transport staff. • Patients should be restricted to their room, unless medically necessary. • Patient must wear surgical/procedure mask during transport. • If the patient needs to be transported and cannot wear a mask, transport should be planned to limit the exposure of other individuals (e.g. no waiting in the reception areas, transport in empty elevator) and it should be communicated to receiving personnel so that consistent precautions can be maintained. The transport personnel should wear an N95 respirator during transport. 4.5 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) • Healthcare worker to wear appropriately fit-tested N95 respirator upon entering room and when assisting or performing AGMPs. Appropriate respirator use: • Hand hygiene should be performed prior to putting on a respirator. • A seal check should be performed. • Respirators should be carefully removed by the straps to avoid selfcontamination. • A respirator should not dangle around the neck when not in use. • The respirator should be changed if it becomes wet or soiled (from the wearer’s breathing or an external splash). • The respirator should be discarded immediately after use, followed by hand hygiene. 4.6 Management of patient care equipment • As per routine practices. If contact precautions are also in use, then refer to Contact Precautions Guideline 3.6. 4.7 Cleaning of patient environment • As per routine practices. If contact precautions are also in use, then refer to Contact Precautions Guideline 3.7. 4.8 Education of patient, family and visitors • Educate as per Airborne Precautions signage. • Visitors should be limited. • Visitors should be counseled about their risk and advised to wear an N95 respirator. Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client. Infection Prevention and Control Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions) Page 5 4.9 Duration of precautions • Airborne precautions should be discontinued after signs and symptoms of the infection have resolved or as per Transmission Tables. o REFER TO IH0100 TRANSMISSION TABLES • Upon discharge or discontinuation of airborne precautions door must remain closed and negative air flow maintained until all air in the room has been replaced. Requires 2 hours in a non-negative pressure room and 45 minutes in a negative pressure room. 4.10 Management of deceased bodies • Airborne precautions should be used for handling deceased bodies and preparing bodies for autopsy or transfer to mortuary services. • Airborne precautions should be continued for the handling of a patient with infectious respiratory tuberculosis, measles or varicella until appropriate time has elapsed to remove airborne contaminants in the room. Requires 2 hours in a non-negative pressure room and 45 minutes