Infection Control and Prevention
Infection Control Principles and Practices for Local Public Health
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Transmission-based Precautions
Transmission-based precautions are used in addition to standard
precautions when use of standard precautions alone does not fully
prevent communicable disease transmission. There are three types of
transmission-based precautions--contact, droplet, and airborne - the
type used depends on the mode of transmission of a specific disease.
Some diseases require more than one type of transmission-based
precaution (e.g. SARS, which requires airborne and contact precautions
as well as eye protection with all client contact).
Contact Precautions
Use the following measure in addition to standard precautions when in
contact with individuals known or suspected of having diseases spread by
direct or indirect contact (examples include norovirus, rotavirus,
draining abscesses, head lice).
Wear gloves and gown when in contact with the individual, surfaces,
or objects within his/her environment.
All re-usable items taken into an exam room or home should be cleaned
and disinfected before removed. Disposable items should be discarded at
point of use.
Droplet Precautions
In addition to standard precautions, wear a surgical mask when within
3 feet (6 feet for smallpox) of persons known or suspected of having
diseases spread by droplets (examples include influenza, pertussis,
meningococcal disease).
Airborne Precautions
Use the following measures in addition to standard precautions when
in contact with individuals known or suspected to have diseases spread
by fine particles dispersed by air currents (examples include
tuberculosis, measles, and SARS).
Put on a NIOSH-certified fit-tested N-95 respirator just before entry
to an area of shared air space and wear at all times while in the area
of shared air space. Remove and discard respirator just after exiting
area. The respirator may be discarded into the regular trash unless
contact precautions must also be followed. In this case, place the
respirator in a plastic zip-lock bag, seal and then discard into the
trash. A powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) may also be used (see
PPE section).
If available, portable high efficiency particulate air (HEPA)
filtration units may be operated in the area where the infected
individual is located to filter out infectious particles. (Use of such a
unit does NOT eliminate the need for employees to wear respiratory
protection).
Eye Protection
If eye protection is indicated, wear goggles or a face shield during
ALL contact with the individual, not just when splashes or sprays are
anticipated, as with standard precautions.
CDC Guidelines Isolation
Precautions
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Learn more
For Infection Control Information
Gwen Borlaug Infection Control Epidemiologist
WI Division of Public Health
Bureau of Communicable Diseases
608-267-7711 Phone
608-261-4976 Fax
Last Revised: June 29, 2011 |
