Transmission-Based Precautions should be used when standard precautions alone are insufficient to interrupt the transmission of a microorganism. Transmission-Based Precautions are to be applied in addition to standard precautions. Show There are three types of Transmission-Based Precautions, tailored to the different forms of transmission; Contact precautionsContact precautions, when used with standard precautions, are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms by direct and/or indirect contact. Perform a risk assessment based on patients' communicability or risk of transmitting infection to others and to healthcare workers. Contact precautions should be considered for patients colonised or infected with a multi-resistant organism (MRO) where there is significant patient and/or environmental contact. Assessment of the patient's risk factors that potentially contribute to the spread of organisms in addition to local epidemiology will guide clinicians to whether patients require contact precautions with isolation, cohorting or management using standard precautions. Contact precautions consist of: Before entering patient zone
After entering patient zone
On leaving patient zone
When transporting patient outside of the room remove PPE and perform hand hygiene after placing patient on trolley/stretcher/wheelchair. Use patient-dedicated or single-use non-critical patient-care equipment. Ensure consistent cleaning and disinfection of surfaces in close proximity to the patient and those likely to be touched by the patient and healthcare workers.. Droplet precautionsDroplet precautions should be employed in addition to standard precautions when caring for any patient known to be or suspected of being infected with a microorganism that can be transmitted by the respiratory droplet transmission route. Specific requirements for droplet precautions are:
If a patient who is being cared for under droplet precautions requires an aerosol generating procedure (AGP), this procedure should be undertaken in a dedicated treatment room away from other patients. If aerosol generating-procedures are anticipated, a P2/N95 mask should be worn by attending HWs. Protective eyewear should be worn as part of standard precautions. The following should be adhered to when managing patients on droplet precautions;
Given that droplets do not remain suspended in the air, special air handling and ventilation is not required under droplet precautions. Airborne precautionsAirborne precautions are designed to interrupt the airborne transmission route. Airborne precautions should be employed in addition to standard precautions when caring for patients who are known or suspected to be infected with a microorganism that can be transmitted by the airborne route. Specific requirements for airborne precautions are:
For further information visit ACSQHC - 6.4 Type and duration of precautions for specific infections and conditions. Please see the Resources page for signs and posters.
Standard precautions are the primary strategy for minimising the transmission of healthcare-associated infections. Standard precautions must be used when providing care to all patients, regardless of whether they have an infection or not. Standard precautions involve: In certain situations, the use of standard precautions alone may not be enough to limit the spread of infection. When this occurs, transmission-based precautions are required. There are three types of transmission-based precautions: contact, droplet and airborne precautions. One or more types of transmission-based precautions may be required, depending on how an infection is spread between people. There are different personal protective equipment and patient placement requirements for standard precautions and transmission-based precautions. The table below provides a general overview of these requirements by precaution type. A local risk assessment should always be undertaken to determine the most appropriate personal protective equipment and patient placement for the delivery of care. Source: Australian Guidelines for the Prevention and Control of Infection in Healthcare (2019) It is important to use consistent infection prevention and control posters to communicate infection risk and the precautions required to minimise this risk in the healthcare setting. The Commission has developed a suite of standardised posters for acute care facilities, to increase healthcare worker awareness of the necessary precautions to be applied for all patients (standard precautions) and for those patients who require transmission-based precautions, due to a known or suspected infection. The use of standardised infection prevention and control posters can help health service organisations meet the requirements of the National Safety and Quality in Healthcare (NSQHS) Standards, Preventing and controlling infections for Standard and transmission-based precautions, Action 3.8 and Action 3.9. |