Transmission-Based Precautions PDF

Transmission based precautions, source & protective isolation Gareth Thomas Consultant Nurse By the end of this session, you should have a greater understanding of: Standard infection control precautions Transmission based precautions Source is...

Transmission based precautions, source & protective isolation Gareth Thomas Consultant Nurse By the end of this session, you should have a greater understanding of: Standard infection control precautions Transmission based precautions Source isolation Protective isolation Why do they matter? Up to 5,000 people die each year from a healthcare associated infections (HCAI) in England & Wales Healthcare associated infections cost approx. £1billion per annum in the UK Patients with infections cost up to 3 x more to treat than those who do not have an infection On average a HCAIs increase a patient’s length of stay by +11 days Infections drive antimicrobial resistance - which is a global health threat Standard infection control precautions Before we understand what transmission- based precautions are, we need to understand standard infection control precautions. Standard infection control precautions are the basic measures required to reduce the risk of infection transmission – these should be used: By all staff On all patients At all times In all care settings What constitutes standard infection control precautions? Standard infection control precautions are: Effective hand hygiene Environmental cleaning and decontamination Sharps safety Personal protective equipment (PPE) Respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette Transmission based precautions Transmission based precautions should be used when standard infection control precautions are not sufficient to control the hazard. Transmission based precautions are utilised based on the route of transmission i.e., how the infection spreads. These are divided into different categories: Droplet precautions Airborne precautions Contact precautions Contact precautions Used to prevent and control infections that spread via direct contact with the patient or indirectly from the patient’s immediate care environment (including care equipment). Most infections transmitted via droplet can be transmitted via contact This is the most common route of cross- infection transmission. Examples include: MRSA C.Difficile Norovirus Varicella zoster (chicken pox)  Contact precautions PPE Contoso grand opening event 8 Droplet precautions Measures used to prevent, and control infections spread over short distances via droplets from the respiratory tract of one individual directly onto a mucosal surface or conjunctivae of another individual. Examples include: Seasonal Influenza Whooping cough Group A strep Droplet precaution PPE Airborne precautions Measures used to prevent, and control infection spread without necessarily having close patient contact via aerosols from the respiratory tract of one individual directly onto a mucosal surface or conjunctivae of another individual. Examples include: Measles Mpox (Clade I) Airborne precautions PPE Source isolation Previously known as ‘barrier nursing’ is the procedure used to protect other patients, staff and visitors from a patient with a known or suspected infection Patients in source isolation should ideally be isolated in a single room with ensuite facilities Remember: source isolation protects other patients from the patient with a known or suspected infection “I feel embarrassed, and it seems like the staff are spending less time with me than with other patients on ” the ward - Patient perspective Protective isolation Protective isolation is used for patients who are usually severely immunocompromised. Similar to source isolation, patients are usually isolated in a single room, preferably with an ensuite. Remember: protective isolation protects the patient who is severely immunocompromised from other patients Remember Robust infection prevention and control precautions are important for patient and staff safety. Used correctly they prevent onward transmission of infections. However, patients feel the effects of these precautions, particularly isolation.  Summary Standard infection control precautions are those applied regardless of infection status and should be applied by: All staff At all times For all patients In all settings Transmission based precautions are used in addition to standard infection control precautions to prevent pathogens spread via contact, droplet and airborne routes Source isolation protects other patients from the patient with a confirmed/suspected infection Protective isolation protects immunocompromised patients from other patients Thank you for listening! Any questions? 1 8