Transmission-Based Precautions: Airborne

65 Pages·2007·2.13 MB·English

HealthStream Regulatory Script

Transmission-Based Precautions: Airborne

Version: May 2007

Lesson 1: Introduction
Lesson 2: Airborne Precautions
Lesson 3: Airborne Pathogens
Lesson 4: Tuberculosis
Lesson 1: Introduction
1001
Introduction

Welcome to the introductory lesson on Airborne Precautions. IMAGE: 1001.JPG
This lesson provides the course rationale, goals, and outline.

As your partner, HealthStream strives to provide its customers with excellence
in regulatory learning solutions. As new guidelines are continually issued by
regulatory agencies, we work to update courses, as needed, in a timely
manner. Since responsibility for complying with new guidelines remains with
your organization, HealthStream encourages you to routinely check all relevant
regulatory agencies directly for the latest updates for clinical/organizational
guidelines.

If you have concerns about any aspect of the safety or quality of patient care in
your organization, be aware that you may report these concerns directly to The
Joint Commission.

Point 1 of 4

2
1002
Course Rationale

Three important pathogens are known to be spread by the IMAGE: 1002.JPG
airborne route. These are:

• Varicella-zoster virus (VZV), the cause of chickenpox
and shingles
• Measles (or rubeola) virus
• Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the cause of TB

All three pathogens can cause severe disease.

Importantly, all three pathogens can be spread in the
healthcare setting.

This course will teach you how to prevent the spread of
airborne infection in the healthcare setting.

You will learn about:
• Current airborne threats
• Airborne Precautions

Point 2 of 4
1003
Course Goals

After completing this course, you should be able to: NO IMAGE
• List and describe the elements of Airborne Precautions
• Recognize key features and specific precautions for:
varicella, measles, SARS, and smallpox
• Recognize key features and OSHA [glossary]
requirements for tuberculosis
Point 3 of 4
1004
Course Outline

Lesson 1 provided the course rationale and goals. FLASH ANIMATION: 1004.SWF/FLA

Lesson 2 will describe Airborne Precautions.

Lesson 3 will give additional information on VZV, measles,
SARS-CoV, and smallpox. This includes specific precautions
for each.

Finally, lesson 4 will give additional information on
Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This includes OSHA requirements
for TB safety.

Please change title of Lesson 4 to “Tuberculosis”

Point4 of 4
Lesson 2: Airborne Precautions
2001
Introduction & Objectives

Welcome to the lesson on Airborne Precautions. FLASH ANIMATION: 2001.SWF/FLA

After completing this lesson, you should be able to:
• Define airborne transmission.
• List the key elements of Airborne Precautions.

Point 1 of 12
2002
Airborne Transmission

Person-to-person airborne transmission happens as a result of CLICK TO REVEAL
infectious droplet nuclei.
More About Droplet Nuclei
These tiny particles can stay airborne for long periods of time.
Coughing, sneezing, and sighing all produce respiratory
They can travel long distances on air currents. droplets. These respiratory droplets are too heavy to stay in
the air for long.
Transmission happens when a susceptible host [glossary]
inhales an infectious particle. When a person has an infection, respiratory droplets may
contain the infectious organism. As these droplets start to dry
Certain hospitalized patients are particularly susceptible to out, most types of organisms are killed.
infection. These patients include:
• Patients with weakened immune systems Some types of organisms can survive drying out. This results
• Patients with chronic illnesses in the formation of infectious droplet nuclei: evaporated
• The very young and very old droplets containing an organism that can still cause disease.
• Institutionalized individuals
Dust particles can also contain the infectious organism.

These tiny nuclei are less than five microns across. They can
stay airborne for long periods of time. This allows for the
spread of airborne disease.
Point 2 of 12
2003
Precautions for Airborne Disease

Patients with diagnosed airborne disease require isolation IMAGE: 2003.JPG

Patients who appear to have an airborne disease also should
be isolated, until a certain diagnosis can be made.

Isolation should include:
• Airborne Precautions
• Standard Precautions

Note: Standard Precautions are used in the care of all patients.

Point 3 of 12
2004
Airborne Precautions

Airborne Precautions have three basic elements: IMAGE: 2004.JPG
• Patient placement
• Respiratory protection
• Patient transport

Let’s take a closer look at each.

Point 4 of 12
2005
Patient Placement: Private Room

A patient requiring Airborne Precautions should be placed in a IMAGE: 2005.JPG
private room.

This room should have monitored negative air pressure. This
means that the air pressure in the isolation room is lower than
the air pressure in nearby areas. Therefore, contaminated air
will not flow out of the room into nearby areas.

The isolation room also should have six to twelve air changes
per hour. This helps reduce the concentration of infectious
particles in the room air.

For air changes, room air should be vented directly to the
outside of the facility. If this is not possible, room air must be
filtered before it ties into the facility’s general ventilation system.
High efficiency particulate filtration (HEPA) should be used.

The door to the isolation room should be kept closed.

The patient should stay in the room.

Point 5 of 12