08/07/2020
Transmission-based Precautions to Take:
Transmission-Based Precautions are used for residents who may be infected or colonized with certain infectious agents for which additional precautions are needed to prevent infection transmission. We will be discussed the 3 types of precautions to take to prevent the spread of the virus in the home.
1.Contact Precautions - are used for clients with known or suspected infections that represent an increased risk for contact transmission.
2.Droplet Precautions - are used for clients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by respiratory droplets.
3.Airborne Precautions – are used for clients known or suspected to be infected with pathogens transmitted by the airborne route.
Precautions to Take for Contact Precautions: contact transmission = direct contact with the client or indirect contact with environmental surfaces or the client care items.
1. Wear PPE – wear face masks, face shield, gloves when entering the home; wear a gown if substantial contact is anticipated
2. Wash hands for at least 20-60 seconds – between glove changes and after removing gloves and gowns
3. Use disposable or dedicated client equipment
4. Prioritize cleaning and disinfecting hard surfaces.
Precautions to take for Droplet Precautions: Droplet transmission = transmitted by respiratory droplets that are generated by coughing, sneezing or talking.
Wear PPE appropriately – face masks, face shield, gloves, gowns,
1. Perform good hand hygiene (wash hands with soap for at least 20 seconds)
2. Wear eye protection if a splash or spray is likely
Precautions to take for Airborne Precautions: airborne transmission = transmitted by aerosol from a person’s respiratory tract; pathogens may travel much farther and infect more people.
1. Reduce non-essential visit if possible and conduct them through via phone
2. Restrict susceptible employees with underlying health problems from entering the home
3. Use PPE including gloves, gowns, face masks, eye protection, face shields
4. Practice good hand hygiene
5. Face mask – wear a fit-tested N95 or higher respiratory
6.Model good respiratory cough etiquette – cover your sneezing and cough with a tissue
7. Remove all PPE and dispose them into a trash bag before leaving the home.
Standard Precautions are the minimum infection prevention practices that apply to all home health care, regardless of
suspected or confirmed infection status of the resident, in any setting where health care is delivered. These practices are designed to protect both the clients and the healthcare workers.
Daily Safeguard Practices:
1. Hand Hygiene
2. Wear PPE appropriately
3.Respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette
4. Cleaning and disinfecting
5. Careful handling of textiles and laundry
6. Proper handling of needles and other sharp objects