Let’s Talk: Airborne Precautions
These organisms will enter your respiratory tract and are spread through airflow from one person to another
These evaporated droplets can remain suspended in the air + can survive for long periods of time
The CDC recommends placing these patients in a single room known as an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR). These are negative pressure rooms that provide air filtration and 6 to 12 air exchanges per hour to reduce the risk of transmission.
Examples of organisms: anthrax, tuberculosis, measles, chickenpox, disseminated herpes zoster, Coronavirus
COVID-19 is a new disease and we are still learning how it spreads as well as the severity of illness it causes. So far, we have learned that the virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person through airborne transmission. There are several ways that a person can be infected with this virus:
Between people who are in close contact with one another (about 6 feet).
Through respiratory droplets produced when an infected person coughs or sneezes.
These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby or possibly be inhaled into the lungs.
Donning PPE:
Optional: Bouffant + booties
Hand hygiene
Gown
Approved N95 mask (that was properly fit tested)
Face/eye shield
Gloves
Optional: 2nd pair of gloves
Doffing PPE:
Top pair of gloves
Hand hygiene
Gown + gloves simultaneously
Exit patient’s room
Perform hand hygiene
Face shield/goggles
Hand hygiene
N95 mask
Hand hygiene
Bouffant + booties (if you wore them)