Public Health Agency

Transmission based precautions

Introduction

Transmission based precautions are additional measures focused on the particular mode of transmission and are always in addition to standard precautions. They are grouped into categories according to the route of transmission of the infectious agent.

Transmission based precautions should be applied when caring for:

Transmission based precautions are categorised by the route of transmission of the infections agent:

Contact Precautions are required for patients known or suspected to be infected or colonised with microorganisms that can be transmitted by direct contact or through the patients secretions or bodily fluids; i.e. contact which occurs when performing patient-care activities that require touching the patients skin, secretions or bodily fluids; or indirect contact i.e. touching potentially contaminated environmental surfaces or equipment in the patients environment.

Examples include Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA or MRSA), Vancomycin resistant enterococci (VRE), Clostridium difficile infection (CDI) and scabies.
 

Droplet Precautions are required for patients known or suspected to be infected with microorganisms transmitted by droplets. Droplets can be generated by coughing, sneezing, talking or during the performance of procedures (e.g. nebulisation).

Examples include pertussis, influenza, rubella and mumps.
 

Airborne Precautions are required for patients known or suspected to be infected with microorganisms that can be transmitted to other patients/staff via the airborne route e.g. in dust.

Examples include Tuberculosis, chickenpox and measles.

Note: Some diseases have multiple routes of transmission and more than one Transmission-Based Precautions category may be used, for example Multi-drug resistant microorganisms such as Multi-drug resistant tuberculosis (MDR-TB) and Human respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). When used either singularly or in combination, they are always used in addition to Standard Precautions.


Risk Assessment

Transmission based precaution requirements

In addition to standard precautions and appropriate PPE (insert hyperlink to standard precautions), the following will be required for all patients who require transmission based precautions: