Download Transmission-Based Precautions

Table of Contents
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Lessons
1. Transmission-Based Precautions Go
2. Transmission-Based Garments Go
3. Isolation Units Go
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A communicable disease
is a type of infectious
disease that can be
transmitted from one
person to another person.
Some communicable
diseases are spread
through direct contact.
Others may be spread
through indirect contact.
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Not all communicable
diseases are transmitted
the same way.
There are many different
types of communicable
diseases, and health care
workers must become
familiar with the mode of
transmission for each
disease.
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Transmission-based
precautions are used only
with patients who have
been diagnosed with
highly communicable
diseases.
Three types:
▫ Airborne
▫ Droplet
▫ Contact
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Airborne precautions are
used for patients with
disease that are spread
through tiny airborne
droplets.
Precautions:
▫ Isolation room
▫ Respiratory protection
▫ Negative pressure
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Examples of diseases:
▫ Tuberculosis
▫ Chicken pox
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Droplet precautions are
used for patients with
diseases that are spread
through large airborne
droplets.
Precautions:
▫ Isolation room
▫ Standard surgical masks
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Examples of diseases:
▫ Pneumonia
▫ Influenza
▫ Whooping cough
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Contact precautions are
used for patients with
diseases that are spread
through direct and
indirect contact.
Precautions:
▫ Isolation room
▫ Gowns and gloves
▫ Equipment precautions
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Examples of diseases:
▫ MRSA
▫ VRE
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When health care
workers enter isolation
rooms, they must wear
transmission-based
garments.
Health care workers
must wear appropriate
garments based on the
disease of the patient.
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Order for donning PPE
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Order for removing PPE
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Gown
Mask
Eyewear
Gloves
Gloves
Eyewear
Gown
Mask
Always cleanse hands before
donning the items and
immediately after removing
them.
Health care workers must not
touch the outer surface of
any protective garments.
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Patients with
communicable diseases
are often placed into
private rooms for
isolation.
This practice helps
prevent the spread of
communicable diseases to
health care workers and
other patients.
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Most facilities require that
disposable food trays and
eating utensils are used in
isolation units.
Leftover food and
beverages should never
be taken out of an
isolation unit. Liquids and
soft foods should be
flushed down the toilet.
Solid foods should be
placed in biohazardous
waste bags.
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Most of the procedures
that take place in
isolation units require
two health care
workers.
Items that are taken from
isolation rooms are
double-bagged to prevent
the spread of dangerous
pathogens.
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