Applying Transmission-Based Precautions
When an infection or potential risk has been identified, a risk assessment should be completed to assist with identifying precautions to be implemented. The risk assessment should be regularly reviewed and updated, and precautions adjusted, if necessary, during the infectious period.
These additional precautions should be tailored to the infectious agent involved and its mode of transmission.
Types of Transmission-based Precautions
More than one type, or a combination of, transmission-based precautions may need to be used in cases where an infectious agent has more than one route of transmission during outbreaks and pandemics or for epidemiologically important organisms.
|
Type |
Purpose |
Infectious Agents |
Precautions In Addition To Standard Precautions |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Contact Precautions |
Reduce the risk of transmission of micro-organisms by direct or indirect contact |
Multi-resistant organisms (MRO/MDROs), Clostridioides difficile, norovirus and highly contagious skin infections such as scabies |
Wear gloves and impermeable gowns when direct contact with an infectious resident or contaminated object is anticipated Wear masks and protective eyewear if there is a risk of splashes or spray of blood and body fluids into the face and eyes |
|
Droplet Precautions |
Apply to residents suspected of being infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by droplets |
Influenza and meningococcus |
Wear impervious gowns, protective eyewear, impermeable masks, and protective eyewear |
|
Airbourne Precautions |
Apply to residents known or suspected to be infected with pathogens that can be transmitted by the airborne route |
Measles virus, varicella virus (chicken pox) and Mycobacterium tuberculosis |
Wear impervious gowns, gloves, high filtration masks, and protective eyewear |
Transmission-based precautions may include one or any combination of the following
Allocating a single room to an infected resident (isolation)
Placing residents colonised or infected with the same infectious agent in a room together (cohorting)
Wearing specific personal protective equipment (PPE)
Providing dedicated resident equipment
Using disinfectants effective against the specific infectious agent
Providing a dedicated toilet/bathroom
Restricting movement of both residents and all employees
All employees should be prepared to explain the requirements of transmission-based precautions to residents and visitors.