Chapter 4 Safety and Infection Control 121 Copyright Goodheart-Willcox Co., Inc. Airborne Precautions. Airborne precautions are used to prevent the spread of diseases, such as tuberculosis, that are transmitted by tiny, airborne droplet residue or dust particles containing microorganisms. Airborne pre- cautions require that the patient be placed in a private room or with another patient who has the same disease. The door to the room must be kept closed and the room must have special ventilation. Respiratory protection in the form of an N95 respirator should be worn when giving patient care. An N95 respirator is a respiratory protective device designed to achieve a very close facial fi t and very effi cient fi ltration of air- borne particles. N95 respirators are not designed for children or people with facial hair. Because a proper fi t cannot be achieved on children and people with facial hair, the N95 respirator may not provide full protection for these individuals. Droplet Precautions. Droplet precautions are used to prevent infection spread through large droplet transmission. In these cases, disease transmission occurs through coughing, talking, and sneezing. People within a three-foot radius are susceptible. Patients should be placed in a private room or with a patient who has the same diagnosis. Masks should be worn within three feet of the patient (Figure 4.19). Because the droplets do not remain suspended in air, no special air handling or venti- lation is required. Infl uenza and Bordetella pertussis (whooping cough) are examples of infectious dis- eases requiring droplet precautions. Contact Precautions. Contact precautions are designed to reduce the risk of transmission of certain infectious microorganisms through direct or indirect contact. Direct contact transmission occurs when a patient is touched by a healthcare worker providing care. Indirect contact transmission occurs when patho- gens are transferred from a contaminated object or surface to a susceptible host. Whenever possible, patients should be placed in a private room or with another patient with the same condition. Hepatitis A and impetigo are examples of infectious diseases requiring contact precautions. Personal Protective Equipment OSHA requires that all workers be provided with the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) for their position. PPE protects workers from serious workplace injuries or illnesses resulting from contact with hazards of a microbial, chemical, radiological, physical, electrical, or mechanical nature. The protective equipment can include face shields, safety glasses, goggles, gowns, gloves, and face masks. You should wear a face mask if your patient has a respiratory infection and is coughing and sneezing. In a doctor’s offi ce, wear a face mask if you have a cold or if you are going to be exposed to a patient with a cold. personal protective equipment (PPE) equipment worn by workers to protect them from serious workplace injuries or illnesses nimon/Shutterstock.com Figure 4.19 This healthcare worker is wearing a mask to prevent the spread of an infection through droplets, which can occur during coughing or sneezing.