Isolation of a resident will require a combination of measures used in transmission-based precautions depending on the route(s) of transmission of the infectious agent involved. This includes the appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE), consisting of gloves, apron or gowns, surgical or high filtration masks, and protective eyewear.

High Filtration P2/N95 Particulate Masks

Disposable P2/N95 face masks can filter out very fine particles from the air when worn correctly. Employees who may need to wear P2/N95 particulate masks will undertake a fit test, usually at induction, so that they know how to perform a fit-check when donning the mask.

Every time a high-filtration P2/N95 particulate mask is to be worn, employees must perform a fit-check each time a mask is donned. Where fit testing has not been performed, and a P2/N95 mask is recommended, a fit-checked P2/N95 mask is preferred to a surgical mask.

In addition, protective goggles or face shields should be worn to prevent eye splashing, and medical examination gloves should also be worn.

Safe Use of PPE

When wearing PPE, ensure the following principles are remembered

Keep gloved hands away from the face

Avoid touching or adjusting other PPE

Remove gloves if they become torn

Perform hand hygiene before donning new gloves

Limit the surfaces and items touched

Removing PPE

Ensure gloves, apron/gown, and protective eyewear are removed at the doorway before leaving the resident's room

Remove the mask outside of the room after the door has been closed

To prevent cross-contamination from occurring, healthcare workers must be aware of clean and contaminated areas of the apparel

Contaminated outside front = areas of PPE that have or are likely to have been in contact with body sites, materials, or environmental surfaces where the infectious organism may reside

Clean inside, outside back, ties on the head and back = these are areas of PPE that are not likely to have been in contact with the infectious organism