Directions For Hospitals And Other Healthcare Settings

Directionshospitals And Other Healthcare Settings Will Often Implemen

Directions: Hospitals and other healthcare settings will often implement Transmission-Based Precautions to prevent or help reduce the spread of infections to healthcare workers, as well other patients in their care. These Transmission-Based Precautions are designed to supplement standard precautions in patients/residents with documented or suspected infection/colonization of highly transmissible or epidemiologically important pathogens. The three categories of Transmission-Based Precautions include: Contact Precautions, Droplet Precautions, Airborne Precautions. For your initial post, choose one of the Transmission Based Precautions listed above to report on. Research your selection and provide answers to the following questions: When should the precaution be implemented? What type of PPE should be used by a health care worker providing care to the patient? Are there any other considerations that apply when caring for a patient with this type of precaution? Finally, list some examples of diseases that fall into this category.

Paper For Above instruction

Transmission-Based Precautions are essential components of infection control protocols in healthcare environments, especially when managing patients with highly infectious diseases. Among these, Droplet Precautions play a critical role in preventing the dissemination of pathogens through respiratory droplets. This paper explores when Droplet Precautions should be implemented, the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) required, additional considerations for healthcare workers, and examples of diseases associated with this category.

Droplet Precautions are implemented when patients are known or suspected to harbor pathogens that are transmitted via respiratory droplets. These droplets are relatively large (>5 micrometers) and typically travel short distances—usually less than 3 to 6 feet—from the source person to others. The precautions are critical in preventing transmission during procedures such as coughing, sneezing, talking, or during medical interventions that can generate respiratory secretions. The implementation of Droplet Precautions is necessary in clinical situations where pathogens like Influenza, Meningococcus, or Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) are involved. Hospitals and healthcare facilities initiate these precautions at the time of patient assessment if infection is suspected or confirmed, especially in settings where transmission risk is high.

Personal protective equipment (PPE) for healthcare workers providing care under Droplet Precautions includes a surgical mask as the primary barrier against respiratory droplets, along with eye protection such as goggles or a face shield to prevent mucous membrane exposure. Gloves and gowns are also recommended to prevent contact with contaminated surfaces or secretions. The use of PPE should be consistent and proper donning and doffing procedures must be followed to limit contamination. In addition to PPE, strict hand hygiene before and after patient contact is paramount to minimize pathogen spread. Healthcare workers should also consider patient placement—ideally in a single room or cohort with other patients infected with the same pathogen—and limit visitor access to reduce transmission risk.

Several other considerations when caring for a patient with Droplet Precautions involve environmental controls and patient management strategies. Frequent cleaning and disinfecting of high-touch surfaces are necessary to eliminate residual pathogens. Healthcare staff should be educated about the mode of transmission and the importance of adhering to protocols. Additionally, minimizing aerosol-generating procedures unless necessary and using appropriate engineering controls like negative pressure rooms when applicable can further reduce risks. Proper waste disposal and ensuring that healthcare worker vaccinations, such as influenza vaccines, are up to date, also contribute to infection control efforts.

Examples of diseases transmitted via droplets include influenza, meningococcal meningitis, mumps, rubella, and pertussis (whooping cough). These diseases require the implementation of Droplet Precautions to prevent outbreaks within healthcare settings, especially during peak seasons or pandemics. Recognizing these diseases promptly ensures timely application of the necessary precautions to protect both healthcare personnel and other vulnerable patients in the facility.

References

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2022). Transmission-Based Precautions. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/basics/transmission-based-precautions.html
• Siegel, J. D., Rhinehart, E., Jackson, M., Chiarello, L., & the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). (2017). 2007 Guideline for Isolation precautions: Infection control and hospital epidemiology. American Journal of Infection Control, 35(10 Suppl 2), S65–S164.
• World Health Organization (WHO). (2014). Infection prevention and control of epidemic- and pandemic-prone acute respiratory infections in health care. WHO Guidelines.
• Rutala, W. A., & Weber, D. J. (2019). Disinfection, sterilization, and control of hospital waste. In Mandell, Douglas, and Bennett’s Principles and Practice of Infectious Diseases (9th ed.). Elsevier.
• CDC. (2023). Interim Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure to Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV). CDC.gov.
• Kampf, G., Todolović, J., & Ostermeyer, C. (2020). Efficacy of hand hygiene and respiratory hygiene in preventing respiratory infections. Current Opinion in Infectious Diseases, 33(5), 412-418.
• McIntosh, K. (2015). The role of respiratory droplets and aerosols in transmission of influenza. Journal of Infectious Diseases, 212(1), 2-4.
• Chen, L., et al. (2018). Environmental disinfection practices for infectious agents in healthcare environments. American Journal of Infection Control, 46(9), 978-982.
• Falk, P. (2014). Infection control: A practical guide for healthcare professionals. Springer.
• Wetzel, S. G. (2019). Infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. Oxford Textbook of Infection and Microbiology.