TRANSMISSION PRECAUTIONS AND ISOLATION DEFINITIONS Transmissionbased isolation a

TRANSMISSION PRECAUTIONS AND ISOLATION

DEFINITIONS • Transmission-based isolation: a method to prevent and control the spread of specific pathogens • Epidemic = disease that spreads over a wide geographic area in one country • Pandemic = disease that spreads into multiple countries or continents

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? • Standard precautions—used on all patients every time • Transmission precautions— specific methods used with patients with specific diseases

COMMUNICABLE DISEASE • Disease capable of being spread from one person to another (= contagious) • Three ways of spread: • Contact with blood/body fluids • Contact with contaminated surfaces • Indirect contact through fomites • Fomite = inanimate object that carries pathogens • Examples: Phone, credit card, doorknob

DEFINITIONS AGAIN! • Contaminated = contains pathogens • Clean = does not contain pathogens • Disinfection • Medical asepsis • “a-” means “without” • “sepsis” means “infection” • Sterile = ALL microorganisms are destroyed, including spores and viruses • Surgical asepsis

TRANSMISSION PRECAUTIONS Factors that determine which type of precautions are used: • Causative organism • How it is transmitted • Whether or not it is antibiotic-resistant

PROTECTIVE/REVERSE ISOLATION • Definition = isolation used to protect the patient from others or from the environment. Used with patients who have: • Burns • Chemotherapy • Weak immune system

REVERSE ISOLATION PRECAUTIONS • Private room • Reverse air-flow so pathogens do not flow through air vents into the rest of the facility • Disinfect all equipment before bringing into room • Patient wears a mask when outside the room • All staff/visitors wear PPE