Infectious disease control primarily relies on two main types of precautions: Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions.
Standard Precautions
Standard Precautions are the foundational level of infection control. These are a set of practices applied to all patient care, regardless of suspected or confirmed infection status. The goal is to reduce the risk of transmission of microorganisms from both recognized and unrecognized sources of infection.
Key components of Standard Precautions include:
- Hand Hygiene: Frequent and thorough handwashing with soap and water or using alcohol-based hand rubs.
- Use of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Wearing gloves, gowns, masks, and eye protection when exposure to blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, mucous membranes, or non-intact skin is anticipated.
- Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette: Covering the mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing, followed by hand hygiene.
- Safe Injection Practices: Using aseptic technique for injections and avoiding reuse of syringes or needles.
- Safe Handling of Sharps: Proper disposal of needles and other sharp instruments in designated containers.
- Cleaning and Disinfection of Environmental Surfaces: Regularly cleaning and disinfecting frequently touched surfaces.
- Handling of Laundry: Managing soiled laundry in a way that prevents the spread of infection.
Transmission-Based Precautions
Transmission-Based Precautions are used in addition to Standard Precautions when patients are known or suspected to be infected or colonized with specific infectious agents. These precautions are tailored to the mode of transmission of the particular pathogen.
There are three main types of Transmission-Based Precautions:
- Contact Precautions: Used for infections spread by direct or indirect contact. This includes diseases like MRSA, VRE, and C. difficile.
- Practices include:
- Private room or cohorting patients with the same infection.
- Wearing gloves and gowns upon entry into the patient's room and removing them before exiting.
- Using dedicated patient-care equipment (e.g., stethoscope, blood pressure cuff).
- Practices include:
- Droplet Precautions: Used for infections spread through large respiratory droplets generated by coughing, sneezing, talking, or certain procedures. Examples include influenza, pertussis, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
- Practices include:
- Private room or cohorting patients with the same infection.
- Wearing a mask (surgical mask or N95 respirator, depending on the pathogen) when within 6 feet of the patient.
- Practices include:
- Airborne Precautions: Used for infections spread through small airborne particles that can remain suspended in the air for extended periods. Examples include tuberculosis, measles, and varicella (chickenpox).
- Practices include:
- Private, negative-pressure room with appropriate ventilation.
- Wearing an N95 respirator when entering the room.
- Limiting patient movement outside the room.
- Practices include:
By implementing both Standard Precautions for all patients and Transmission-Based Precautions when indicated, healthcare facilities can significantly reduce the spread of infectious diseases.
