Transmission Based Precautions

1.1.1 Airborne precautions: A group of transmission-based precautions to prevent the spread of airborne pathogens. Airborne precautions are measures used to prevent, and control infection spread without necessarily having close patient contact via aerosols from the respiratory tract of one individual directly onto a mucosal surface or conjunctivae of another individual.
1.1.2 Airborne transmission: The spread of infection from one individual to another by airborne particles (aerosols)  less than 5 μm in diameter containing infectious agents. Airborne particles are very small particles that may contain infectious agents. They can remain in the air for long periods of time and can be carried over long distances by air currents. Airborne particles can be released when an individual coughs or sneezes, and during AGPs. ‘Droplet nuclei’ are aerosols formed from the evaporation of larger droplet particles (see droplet transmission). Aerosols formed from droplet particles in this way behave as other aerosols. Aerosols can penetrate the respiratory system to the alveolar level.
1.1.3 Cohort: Place  two or more patients (a cohort) with the same confirmed infection by pathogen in the same room/ward. A cohort area should be physically separate from other patients.
1.1.4 Colonization: The presence of microorganisms on a body surface (such as the skin,      and mucus membrane) that does not cause disease in the person or signs of infection.
 
1.1.5 Contact transmission: The spread of infectious agents from one person to another by contact. When spread occurs through skin-to-skin contact, this is called direct contact transmission. When spread occurs via a contaminated object, this is called indirect contact transmission.
1.1.6 Contaminated: The presence of an infectious agent on a body surface; also, on or in clothes, bedding, surgical instruments or dressings, or other inanimate articles or substances including water and food.
1.1.7 Cough etiquette/respiratory hygiene: Measures that are taken to minimize the spread of respiratory infections to others.
1.1.8 Droplet precautions: Measures used to prevent, and control infections spread over short distances (at least 1 meter) via droplets   larger than 5 or 10 µmfrom the respiratory tract of one individual directly onto a mucosal surface or conjunctivae of another individual. Droplets penetrate the respiratory system to above the alveolar level.
1.1.9 Droplet transmission: The spread of infection from one individual to another by droplets containing infectious agents.
1.1.10 High-touch surfaces: Surfaces, often in patient care areas, that are frequently touched by healthcare workers and patients (e.g. overbed table, IV pole, doorknobs, medication carts).
1.1.11 Immunocompromised patient/individual: Any individual whose immune response is reduced or deficient, usually because they have a disease or are undergoing treatment. Individuals who are immunocompromised are more vulnerable to infection.
1.1.12 Infection: Invasion of the body by a harmful organism or infectious agent such as a virus, parasite, bacterium or fungus.
1.1.13 Standard infection control precautions (SICPs): SICPs are the basic IPC measures necessary to reduce the risk of transmitting infectious agents from both recognized and unrecognized sources of infection. Sources of (potential) infection include blood and other body fluids secretions or excretions (excluding sweat), non-intact skin or mucous membranes and any equipment or items in the care environment that could have become contaminated.
1.1.14 Transmission-based precautions (TBPs): Additional precautions to be used in addition to SICPs when caring for patients with suspected or confirmed infection or colonization that could be transmitted by contact, droplet or airborne routes.
1.1.15 Personal protective equipment (PPE): Equipment an individual wears to protect themselves from risks to their health or safety, including exposure to infection agents. The level of PPE required depends on the:
●     suspected or confirmed infectious agent
●     severity of the illness caused
●     transmission route of the infectious agent
●     procedure or task being undertaken