In the process of preparing to enter a patients isolation room which would occur first

Isolation Precautions: Airborne (Ambulatory) - CE

ALERT

Don appropriate PPE based on the patient’s signs and symptoms and indications for isolation precautions.

Avoid physical contact with the patient with suspected or confirmed tuberculosis (TB) or other airborne pathogen before donning appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE).

A patient in airborne isolation need a to be placed in a negative-pressure airborne infection isolation room (AIIR). If an AIIR is not available, place a surgical mask on the patient.undefined#ref4">4

Airborne precautions are the highest level of isolation. Until an airborne-transmitted illness is diagnosed, airborne precautions represent the safest precautions.

Perform hand hygiene with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand rub (ABHR) immediately after removing all PPE.

OVERVIEW

Infection prevention and control measures help to ensure the protection of patients in a range of settings who may be vulnerable to acquiring an infection.

Infection-control practices that reduce and eliminate sources of infection transmission help to protect patients and health care team members from disease. The health care team member is responsible for educating a patient about infection control. Knowledge of the infectious process, disease transmission, and critical-thinking skills associated with use of aseptic techniques and barrier protection is essential for both health care team members and patients.

One of the most common airborne pathogens is TB. Current guidelines for preventing and controlling TB focus on detecting the infection early, preventing close contact with a patient who has active TB, and applying effective infection-control measures in the health care setting.1 Other airborne pathogens include chicken pox and Rubeola (i.e., measles). Shingles, also a varicella infection, does not require airborne isolation precautions.

TB should be suspected in any patient who has a persistent cough lasting longer than 3 weeks1 accompanied by chest pain, bloody sputum, unexplained weight loss or loss of appetite, fever, chills, night sweats, malaise, or fatigue. Isolation for a patient with suspected or confirmed TB includes being placed on airborne precautions in a negative-pressure AIIR with special air-handling and ventilation capacity.5

The advantages of the QuantiFERON®-TB Gold (QFT-G) blood test in place of the traditional tuberculin skin test (TST) are that it does not boost responses measured by subsequent tests and that the results are not subject to reader bias. QFT-G can be used in place of, but not in addition to, the TST. A patient who has a positive QFT-G result, regardless of signs or symptoms, should be evaluated for TB disease before latent TB infection is diagnosed. At minimum, a chest radiograph should be examined for abnormalities consistent with TB.

Health care team members who care for patients with suspected or confirmed TB should wear nonpowered air-purifying respirators (i.e., N95 respirator [Figure 1]).2,5 These respirators are high-efficiency particulate masks that have the ability to filter particles at a 95% or better efficiency.2,5

Health care team members who use these respirators must be fit-tested in a reliable way to determine which size mask is appropriate and to ensure that the wearer knows when a good seal is achieved. Fit-testing must be performed before health care team members are required to wear the respirator in the workplace and must be repeated at least annually.3 Fit-testing must also be conducted whenever respirator design or facial changes that may affect a proper fit take place.3 A respirator that has not been fitted properly may leave unprotected gaps between it and the face, impairing its effectiveness.

If facial hair or unusual facial features make fitting a mask-type respirator properly difficult, a powered air-purifying respirator (PAPR) may be used (Figure 2). A PAPR has the same filtering properties as the mask-type respirator and is approved by national organization guidelines.1 This type of respirator covers the head and uses a blower to move air through the filter and into the face piece, helmet, or hood. A PAPR does not require fit-testing before use.

N95 respirators are disposable, but the same individual may use them more than once. N95 respirators should be stored between uses in a clean, breathable receptacle (e.g. paper bag), in a dry place, and out of direct sunlight.2 The respirator should be discarded if it becomes wet or damaged.

Using a respirator does not, on its own, fully protect health care team members from acquiring an airborne infection. Other infection-control practices, such as performing hand hygiene, isolating an infected patient, and using appropriate coughing etiquette are also important to minimize the risk of infection.

All organizations should have a procedure for donning and doffing the organization’s specific N95 or PAPR and preparing equipment for reprocessing (e.g., bagging for temporary storage before reprocessing, immediate reprocessing in the doffing area).

EDUCATION

• Provide developmentally and culturally appropriate education based on the desire for knowledge, readiness to learn, and overall neurologic and psychosocial state.
• Explain the purpose of the isolation to the patient.
• Teach the patient the signs and symptoms of infections and provide instructions on when to seek additional care.
• Educate the patient about modes of infection transmission.
• Explain to the patient the methods of infection prevention.
• Educate the patient about possible exposure of other individuals before the diagnosis.
• Encourage questions and answer them as they arise.

PROCEDURE

1. Perform hand hygiene.
2. Review the patient’s medical history for potential infectious pulmonary or laryngeal TB.
   1. Positive QFT-G test
   2. Positive acid-fast bacilli (AFB) smear or culture
   3. Signs or symptoms of TB
   4. Cavitation on chest x-ray study
   5. History of recent exposure
   6. Clinical team leader’s progress notes, indicating a plan to rule out TB
   7. Positive TB screen
3. Provide proper equipment access and signage as needed.
4. Consider the types of care to be performed while in the patient’s room (e.g., medication administration, dressing change).
5. Prevent extra trips in and out of the room; gather all needed equipment and supplies before entering the room.
6. Dedicate medical equipment (e.g., stethoscope, blood pressure cuff, thermometer) to be used only with the patient.5
7. Choose a barrier protection that is appropriate for the type of isolation used and the organization’s practice (Box 1) (Table 1) (e.g., airborne precautions: standard precautions plus an N95 respirator or PAPR).
8. Inspect PPE before donning. Ensure that the PPE is intact, that all required PPE and supplies are available, and that the correct size has been selected.
9. Enter the designated area for donning PPE and prepare for entry into the isolation room (as applicable).

PAPR Option

Donning PPE

1. Perform hand hygiene.
2. If a PAPR with a self-contained filter and blower unit integrated inside the helmet will be used, put on the belt and battery before donning the impermeable gown so that the belt and battery unit are under the gown.
3. Don a fluid-resistant or impermeable gown.
   1. Ensure that the gown covers the torso from the neck to the knees and from the arms to the end of the wrists and that it wraps around the back.
   2. Pull the sleeves of the gown down to the wrists.
   3. Fasten the gown securely at the back of the neck and the waist (Figure 3).

      Rationale: Donning a gown properly prevents the transmission of infection and provides protection if the patient has excessive drainage or discharge.

4. If a PAPR with an external belt-mounted blower (Figure 2) will be used, attach the tubing and don a belted blower unit. Ensure that the blower and tubing are outside of the gown to ensure proper airflow.
5. Don gloves, bringing the glove cuffs over the edge of the gown sleeves (Figure 4).
6. Don a PAPR with a full-face shield, helmet, or headpiece.
   1. For a PAPR with a self-contained filter and blower unit inside the helmet, use a single-use (disposable) hood that extends to the shoulders and fully covers the neck. Ensure that the hood covers all of the hair and the ears and that it extends past the neck to the shoulders.5
   2. For a PAPR with an external belt-mounted blower unit and attached reusable headpiece, use a single-use (disposable) hood that extends to the shoulders and fully covers the neck. Ensure that the hood covers all of the hair and the ears and that it extends past the neck to the shoulders.
7. Verify the integrity of the PPE. Extend the arms, bend at the waist, and go through a range of motion that is sufficient for delivering patient care.
8. Enter the patient’s isolation room, close the door, and arrange the supplies and equipment brought into the patient’s isolation room.
9. Introduce yourself to the patient.
10. Verify the correct patient using two identifiers.
11. Explain the procedure and ensure that the patient agrees to treatment.
12. Ensure that evaluation findings are communicated to the clinical team leader per the organization’s practice.
13. Provide designated care to the patient while maintaining isolation precautions.
    1. Keep hands away from own face.
    2. Limit touching surfaces in the room.
    3. Remove gloves when torn or heavily contaminated, perform hand hygiene, and don clean gloves.
    4. If additional supplies are needed, enlist another health care team member to hand in new supplies without entering the room.
14. Administer medications as ordered while maintaining precautions.
    1. Provide oral medication in a wrapper or cup and then discard the wrapper or cup in the proper trash receptacle in the patient’s room.

       Rationale: Single-use medication containers minimize the transfer of microorganisms.

    2. Wear gloves when administering injections.

       Rationale: Gloves act as a barrier to reduce the risk of exposure to blood.

    3. Discard disposable syringes and uncapped or sheathed needles in the proper sharps receptacle in the patient’s room.

       Rationale: Properly disposing of sharps reduces the risk of a needlestick injury.

    4. Place the reusable plastic syringe holder, if used, on a towel for eventual removal and disinfection after leaving the patient’s room.
15. Collect any ordered specimens.
    1. In the presence of the patient, label the specimen per the organization’s practice.4
    2. Place the labeled specimen in a biohazard bag (Figure 5) and transport it to the laboratory immediately per the organization’s practice.
16. Discard linen, trash, and disposable items.
    1. Use single linen bags that are sturdy and impervious to moisture to contain soiled articles. Double-bag heavily soiled linen or heavy, wet trash if necessary.

       Ensure that linens and waste are totally contained to protect health care team members from exposure to infectious organisms.

    2. Tie the bags securely at the top with a knot (Figure 6).
17. Remove and disinfect all reusable pieces of equipment brought into the patient’s room using an organization-approved disinfectant and before it is used on another patient.

    Rationale: Disinfecting equipment after use decreases the risk of infection transmission.5

18. Inform the patient when you plan to return to the room. Ask whether the patient requires any personal care items or has any questions.
19. Remind the patient to cover the mouth with a tissue when coughing and to wear a disposable surgical mask when leaving the room.

    Rationale: Covering the mouth with a tissue when coughing helps prevent the spread of infection to other patients and to health care team members. The mask prevents particles from the patient’s respiratory tract from being released into shared air. Patients should not wear a respirator because it does not prevent expulsion of droplet nuclei into shared air.

20. After providing patient care, leave the isolation room.

Doffing PPE

1. Inspect PPE for visible contamination, cuts, or tears before starting the doffing process.
   1. If PPE is potentially contaminated, disinfect it using an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)-registered disinfectant wipe and allow it to dry.
   2. If the organization’s practice permit and appropriate regulations are followed, use an EPA-registered disinfectant spray, particularly on contaminated areas. Allow it to dry.

      Rationale: Potentially contaminated PPE is disinfected before doffing to minimize the risk of contamination.

2. Remove and discard gloves in the proper receptacle, taking care not to contaminate bare hands during the removal process.

   If hands become contaminated during glove removal, immediately wash them with soap and water or use an ABHR.

   1. Using a gloved hand, grasp the palm area of the other gloved hand and peel off the first glove.
   2. Hold the removed glove in the gloved hand.
   3. Slide the fingers of the ungloved hand under the remaining glove at the wrist (Figure 7).
   4. Peel the second glove off over the first glove.

      Rationale: Properly removing gloves prevents contact with the contaminated gloves’ outer surface.

3. Remove and discard the gown (Figure 8) in the proper receptacle.
   1. Depending on the gown design and the location of the fasteners, untie or gently break the fasteners, taking care that the sleeves do not make contact with the body when reaching for the ties.
   2. Pull the gown away from the neck and shoulders, touching only the inside of the gown.
   3. Turn the gown inside-out and fold it into a bundle.

      Rationale: The front of the gown and sleeves are contaminated. Removing the gown properly prevents contact with the contaminated front of the gown.

   4. Place the gown in a laundry bag or discard a disposable gown in the proper receptacle.
4. Perform hand hygiene and don gloves.
5. Remove the PAPR.
   1. For a PAPR with a self-contained filter and blower unit inside the helmet, remove the hood and wait until the very end of the procedure to remove the integrated components.
   2. For a PAPR with a belt-mounted blower unit, all reusable PAPR components and place them in an area or receptacle designated for the collection of PAPR components for disinfection.
6. Remove and discard gloves (Figure 7) in the proper receptacle, taking care not to contaminate bare hands during the removal process.

   If hands become contaminated during glove removal, immediately wash them with soap and water or use an ABHR.

7. Perform a final inspection for any indication of contamination and immediately change into clean surgical scrubs or disposable garments if contamination is identified.

   Rationale: The final inspection is a key step to ensuring health care team members’ safety.

8. Perform hand hygiene.
9. Document the procedure in the patient’s record.

N95 Respirator Option

Donning PPE

1. Perform hand hygiene.
2. Don a fluid-resistant or impermeable gown.
   1. Ensure that the gown covers the torso from the neck to the knees and from the arms to the end of the wrists and that it wraps around the back.
   2. Pull the sleeves of the gown down to the wrists.
   3. Fasten the gown securely at the back of the neck and the waist (Figure 3).

      Rationale: Donning a gown properly prevents the transmission of infection and provides protection if the patient has excessive drainage or discharge.

3. Don eye protection (goggles or face shield), if needed, around the face and eyes. Adjust to fit.

   Rationale: Donning eye protection properly reduces the risk of exposure to microorganisms that may occur from splashing fluids.

4. Don the N95 respirator (Figure 1) and complete a user seal check.
   1. Check the N95 respirator before donning it to ensure that there is no damage or tears and that the straps are in good condition.
   2. Place the N95 respirator over the nose, mouth, and chin. Ensure that the bottom flap is pulled out completely, if applicable.
   3. Secure the lower elastic strap at the top of the neck and the upper elastic strap above the ears at the back or top of the head.
   4. Adjust the N95 respirator for a comfortable fit.
   5. Place the fingertips on each side of the metal nosepiece. Beginning at the bridge of the nose, move down the cheeks and mold the flexible nosepiece to create a snug fit.

      Avoid pinching the nosepiece, which may result in an improper fit.

   6. Perform a fit-check of the N95 respirator.
      1. Inhale rapidly and ensure that the N95 respirator collapses slightly.
      2. Exhale and use the hands to check for leaks around the face.
         1. Adjust the nosepiece if there are air leaks around the nose.
         2. Adjust the straps along the sides of the head if there are air leaks at the N95 respirator edges.
   7. Repeat the fit-check (as needed).
5. Don gloves, bringing the glove cuffs over the edge of the gown sleeves (Figure 4).
6. Verify the integrity of the PPE. Extend the arms, bend at the waist, and go through a range of motion that is sufficient for delivering patient care.
7. Enter the patient’s room, close the door, and arrange the supplies and equipment brought into the patient’s isolation room.
8. Introduce yourself to the patient.
9. Verify the correct patient using two identifiers.
10. Explain the procedure and ensure that the patient agrees to treatment.
11. Ensure that evaluation findings are communicated to the clinical team leader per the organization’s practice.
12. Provide designated care to the patient while maintaining isolation precautions.
    1. Keep hands away from own face.
    2. Limit touching surfaces in the room.
    3. Remove gloves when torn or heavily contaminated, perform hand hygiene, and don clean gloves.
    4. If additional supplies are needed, enlist another health care team member to hand in new supplies without entering the room.
13. Administer medications as ordered while maintaining precautions.
    1. Provide oral medication in a wrapper or cup and then discard the wrapper or cup in the proper trash receptacle in the patient’s room.

       Rationale: Single-use medication containers minimize the transfer of microorganisms.

    2. Wear gloves when administering injections.

       Rationale: Gloves act as a barrier to reduce the risk of exposure to blood.

    3. Discard disposable syringes and uncapped or sheathed needles in the proper sharps receptacle in the patient’s room.

       Rationale: Properly disposing of sharps reduces the risk of a needlestick injury.

    4. Place the reusable plastic syringe holder, if used, on a towel for eventual removal and disinfection after leaving the patient’s room.
14. Collect any ordered specimens.
    1. In the presence of the patient, label the specimen per the organization’s practice.4
    2. Place the labeled specimen in a biohazard bag (Figure 5) and transport it to the laboratory immediately per the organization’s practice.
15. Discard linen, trash, and disposable items.
    1. Use single linen bags that are sturdy and impervious to moisture to contain soiled articles. Double-bag heavily soiled linen or heavy, wet trash if necessary.

       Ensure that linens or waste are totally contained to protect health care team members from exposure to infectious organisms.

    2. Tie the bags securely at the top with a knot (Figure 6).
16. Remove and disinfect all reusable pieces of equipment brought into the patient’s room using an organization-approved disinfectant and before it is used on another patient.

    Rationale: Disinfecting equipment after use decreases the risk of infection transmission.5

17. Inform the patient when you plan to return to the room. Ask whether the patient requires any personal care items or has any questions.
18. Remind the patient to cover his or her mouth with a tissue when coughing and to wear a disposable surgical mask when leaving the room.

    Rationale: Covering the mouth with a tissue when coughing helps prevent the spread of infection to other patients and to health care team members. The mask prevents particles from the patient’s respiratory tract from being released into shared air. Patients should not wear a respirator because it does not prevent expulsion of droplet nuclei into shared air.

19. After providing patient care, leave the isolation room.

Doffing PPE

1. Inspect the PPE for visible contamination, cuts, or tears before starting the doffing process.
   1. If PPE is potentially contaminated, disinfect it using an EPA-registered disinfectant wipe and allow it to dry.
   2. If the organization’s practice permit and appropriate regulations are followed, use an EPA-registered disinfectant spray, particularly on contaminated areas. Allow it to dry.

      Rationale: Potentially contaminated PPE is disinfected before doffing to minimize the risk of contamination.

2. Remove and discard gloves in the proper receptacle, taking care not to contaminate bare hands during the removal process.

   If hands become contaminated during glove removal, immediately wash them with soap and water or use an ABHR.

   1. Using a gloved hand, grasp the palm area of the other gloved hand and peel off the first glove.
   2. Hold the removed glove in the gloved hand.
   3. Slide the fingers of the ungloved hand under the remaining glove at the wrist (Figure 7).
   4. Peel the second glove off over the first glove.

      Rationale: Properly removing gloves prevents contact with the contaminated gloves’ outer surface.

3. Remove and discard the gown (Figure 8) in the proper receptacle.
   1. Depending on the gown design and the location of the fasteners, untie or gently break the fasteners, taking care that the sleeves do not make contact with the body when reaching for the ties.
   2. Pull the gown away from the neck and shoulders, touching only the inside of the gown.
   3. Turn the gown inside-out and fold it into a bundle.

      Rationale: The front of the gown and sleeves are contaminated. Removing the gown as described prevents contact with the contaminated front of the gown.

   4. Place the gown in a laundry bag or discard a disposable gown in the proper receptacle.
4. Perform hand hygiene and don gloves.
5. Remove the N95 respirator.
   1. Tilt the head slightly forward.

      Rationale: Tilting the head forward aids the doffing process and minimizes the risk of contamination.

   2. Grasp the bottom elastic strap first and then the top elastic strap.
   3. Remove them without touching the front of the N95 respirator.

      Rationale: Avoiding touching the front of the N95 respirator aids the doffing process and minimizes the risk of contamination.

   4. If not reusing the respirator, discard the N95 respirator in the proper receptacle.
   5. If reusing the respirator, place the N95 respirator in a clean, breathable receptacle (e.g., paper bag), labeled for reuse by the same person.

      N95 respirators can be reused when supplies are limited (e.g., influenza pandemics or widespread outbreaks of other respiratory illnesses).2

6. Remove and discard gloves in the proper receptacle, taking care not to contaminate bare hands during the removal process.

   If hands become contaminated during glove removal, immediately wash them with soap and water or use an ABHR.

7. Perform a final inspection for any indication of contamination and immediately change into a clean pair of surgical scrubs or disposable garments if contamination is identified.

   Rationale: The final inspection is a key step to ensuring health care team members’ safety.

8. Perform hand hygiene.
9. Document the procedure in the patient’s record.

EXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Respirator mask fits correctly.
• No evidence of suspected breach of isolation precautions exists.
• Health care team members are free from airborne-transmitted infectious illness.
• Health care team members perform donning and doffing of PPE correctly.
• Patient can explain purpose of isolation and cooperates with precautions.

UNEXPECTED OUTCOMES

• Respirator mask does not fit correctly.
• Evidence of or suspected breach of isolation precautions.
• Health care team members contract an airborne-transmitted infectious illness.
• Health care team members do not perform donning and doffing of PPE correctly.
• Patient does not cooperate with precautions.

DOCUMENTATION

• Education
• Evidence of or suspected breach of isolation precautions
• Unexpected outcomes and related interventions

PEDIATRIC CONSIDERATIONS

• Isolation creates a sense of separation from family and a loss of control. A strange environment may add to the confusion that the pediatric patient feels during isolation. A preschool-age patient is unable to understand the cause-and-effect relationship for isolation. Older patients may be able to understand the cause, but they still may be frightened.
• A pediatric patients requires simple explanations, for example, “You need to be in this room to help you get better.”
• All isolation precautions should be shown to pediatric patients. Health care team members should let pediatric patients see their faces before applying masks so that patients do not become frightened.
• For preschool-age and school-age patients, making a game out of wearing the mask (e.g., superheroes) can lessen the child’s anxiety regarding PPE.

OLDER ADULT CONSIDERATIONS

• Older adults may become confused when they are confronted with a health care team member using barrier precautions or when left in a room with the door closed. The need for closing the door (negative-pressure AIIR), along with the patient’s safety and additional safety measures, should be evaluated.

REFERENCES

1. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2013). Core curriculum on tuberculosis: What the clinician should know (6th ed.). Retrieved July 19, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/tb/education/corecurr/pdf/corecurr_all.pdf (classic reference)* (Level VII)
2. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). (2020). Implementing filtering facepiece respirators (FFR) reuse, including reuse after decontamination, where there are known shortages of N95 respirators. Retrieved July 19, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/coronavirus/2019-ncov/hcp/ppe-strategy/decontamination-reuse-respirators.html (Level VII)
3. Fairfax, R.E. (2004). Occupational Safety and Health Administration: Standard interpretations [Letter to Bernice B. Friedman]. Retrieved July 19, 2021, from https://www.osha.gov/pls/oshaweb/owadisp.show_document?p_table=INTERPRETATIONS&p_id=24781 (classic reference)* (Level VII)
4. Joint Commission, The. (2021). National Patient Safety Goals® for the ambulatory health care program. Retrieved July 19, 2021, from https://www.jointcommission.org/-/media/tjc/documents/standards/national-patient-safety-goals/2021/npsg_chapter_ahc_jan2021.pdf (Level VII)
5. Siegel, J.D. and others. (2007, updated 2019). 2007 Guideline for isolation precautions: Preventing transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. Retrieved July 19, 2021, from https://www.cdc.gov/infectioncontrol/pdf/guidelines/isolation-guidelines-H.pdf (Level VII)

*In these skills, a "classic" reference is a widely cited, standard work of established excellence that significantly affects current practice and may also represent the foundational research for practice.

Elsevier Skills Levels of Evidence

• Level I - Systematic review of all relevant randomized controlled trials
• Level II - At least one well-designed randomized controlled trial
• Level III - Well-designed controlled trials without randomization
• Level IV - Well-designed case-controlled or cohort studies
• Level V - Descriptive or qualitative studies
• Level VI - Single descriptive or qualitative study
• Level VII - Authority opinion or expert committee reports

Which of the following is the proper sequence for removal of isolation apparel?

Which of the following is the most important procedure in the prevention of disease?

When exiting an isolation room which item of PPE must be removed outside the room?

Which of the following is a factor that increases a host's susceptibility in the chain of infection?