Infection Prevention and Control

Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)

Page 1

A PRINTED copy of this guideline may not be the most recent version. The OFFICIAL version is
located on IHNET at the Infection Prevention and Control Home Page

EFFECTIVE DATE: September 2006

IH0200: Airborne Precautions
REVISED DATE: April 2011, January 2015,
November 2016, March 2019, February
2020

REVIEWED DATE:

1.0 PURPOSE

Airborne Precautions refer to infection prevention and control interventions to be used in addition
to Routine Practices. Airborne Precautions are used for diseases that are spread by airborne
transmission. Control of airborne transmission is the most difficult, as it requires control of air flow
through special ventilation systems and use of respirators.

2.0 DEFINITIONS

Airborne particles include organisms that remain suspended in the air over time and can be
dispersed by air currents. These may then inhaled by others who are nearby or who may be some
distance away from the source patient, in a different room or ward (depending on air currents) or in
the same room that a patient has left, if there have been insufficient air exchanges. Organisms are
sometimes contained in droplet nuclei which are small airborne particles, less than 5 microns in size
that result from evaporation of large droplets.

Airborne Precautions are used for clients/patients/residents known or suspected of having an illness
transmitted by the airborne route and to prevent transmission of airborne particles. Common
microorganisms transmitted by the airborne route are Mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB), varicella
virus (chickenpox virus) and measles virus.

Conditions/clinical presentations and specific etiologies requiring airborne precautions:

Conditions/clinical presentation Specific etiologies

Cough, fever, pulmonary infiltrate in Measles (rubeola)

person at risk for TB * Monkeypox
(pleuropulmonary or laryngeal TB) Tuberculosis (pleuropulmonary or laryngeal)
Rash, maculopapular with fever and ■ nonpulmonary lesions, during
one of coryza, conjunctivitis or procedures that may aerosolize tuberculi
cough bacilli
* Rash, vesicular with fever
* Smallpox
Varicella zoster virus
* ■ varicella (chicken pox)
* ■ zoster, disseminated
* ■ zoster in immunocompromised patient

*Use Airborne & Contact Precautions

Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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Aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs) - are medical procedures that can generate
aerosols as a result of artificial manipulation of a patient’s airway. Examples include intubation,
manual ventilation, open endotracheal suctioning, CPR, bronchoscopy, sputum induction, nebulized
therapy, surgery, autopsy, and non-invasive positive pressure ventilation (CPAP, BiPAP, Chest
Physiotherapy (Cough Assist, Percussion or Vibration)

Airborne Isolation Room – a single patient room that is equipped with a special air handling
(negative pressure) and ventilation system.

Anteroom – is considered a clean area and is used to transition people in and out of the airborne
isolation room when it is under negative pressure. An anteroom is used as a transitional space
between the hallway and the airborne isolation room. This transition area is where the Healthcare
Worker (HCW) puts on personal protective equipment (PPE) prior to entering the airborne isolation
room. The HCW also will store all clean PPE in this area. See page 11 Anteroom Protocol

Negative Pressure Room – also known as an Airborne Isolation Room; a negative pressure room
that is a single-occupancy patient-care room used to isolate persons with a suspected or confirmed
airborne infectious disease.

N95 Respirators – A disposable, (Note: most respirators used for health care purposes are
disposable filtering face pieces covering mouth, nose and chin) particulate respirator. Airborne
particles are captured from the air on the filter media by interception, inertial impaction, diffusion
and electrostatic attraction. The filter is certified to capture at least 95% of particles at a diameter of
0.3 microns; the most penetrating particle size. (Public Health Agency of Canada, 2016, pg. 173)

3.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

3.1. Maintain a high degree of suspicion for those patients who present with compatible symptoms of
an airborne infection, prompt implementation of airborne precautions and rapid diagnosis.

3.2 For the purpose of this guideline, the term Airborne Isolation Room will be used to refer
to a “negative pressure room”. An Airborne Isolation Room must have:
• Ventilation creating inward directional airflow from adjacent spaces to the room (‘negative
pressure’) that is regularly monitored.
• Direct exhaust of air from the room to the outside of the building or recirculation of air
through a HEPA filter before returning to circulation.
• Twelve (12) air changes per hour.
• The door into the room kept closed to maintain negative pressure, even if the patient is not
in the room.
• Windows closed at all times; opening the window may cause reversal of air flow, an effect
that can vary according to wind direction and indoor/outdoor temperature differentials.

3.3 A point of care risk assessment for every patient interaction needs to be done to
determine additional precautions, room placement and PPE:

• All healthcare providers in high risk areas must be fit tested for an N95 respirator.
Refer to AV 1900 Respiratory Protection Program Policy
• An N95 respirator must be worn by all HCWs entering the room of a patient with measles
regardless of immune status when Airborne Precautions are in place with visible signage

Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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4.0 PROCEDURE
As well as Routine Practice, Airborne Precautions includes the following:

4.1 Source Control

a) A point of care risk assessment (PCRA) as per routine practices should be done to
determine if airborne precautions are required.
• Note that some diseases/conditions require two precaution categories;
airborne and contact. Refer to the Point of Care Risk Assessment Table on the back of
precautions signs (pg. 8).
• Patients should be directed to put on a surgical/procedure mask, if tolerated when not in
an airborne isolation room.
• Place patients directly into an airborne isolation room with door closed.
• If a facility does not have an airborne isolation room, patient to be placed into a single
room; the patient should be instructed to keep the mask on and the door should remain
closed. Transfer as soon as possible to a facility with an airborne isolation room.
• Signage placed at the entrance to patient room.

b) The following strategies should be applied to reduce the level of aerosol generation when
performing aerosol-generating medical procedures (AGMPs) for patients with
suspected airborne disease.
• AGMPs should be limited to those that are medically necessary.
• The number of personnel in the room should be limited to those required.
• Consider appropriate patient sedation.
• AGMPs should be performed in an airborne isolation room.
• Single rooms (with the door closed and away from high-risk patients), should be used in
settings where airborne isolation rooms are unavailable.
• N 95 respirators should be worn by all personnel in the room during the procedure.
• Closed endotracheal suction systems should be used wherever possible.
• In an emergency situation when an airborne isolation room is not available; at a
minimum pull the privacy curtains and all personnel to wear N95 respirator. Remove
visitors and other patients from the room/area.

Refer to Appendix A - Respiratory Care and Oxygen Therapy Resource

c) Intubated and ventilated patients

• An appropriate bacterial filter should be placed on the “Y” portion of the
ventilator circuit to prevent contamination of the ventilator and the ambient
air.
• Endotracheal suctioning should be performed using a closed suction
system where possible.

4.2 Hand Hygiene

Perform hand hygiene as per hand hygiene guidelines IF0200.

4.3 Patient placement and accommodation:

• Place patient in airborne isolation room
• The airborne isolation room should have a toilet and sink for the patient, and a
designated hand washing sink for healthcare workers.
• Monitoring – ensure pressure differentials are correct and indicators/alarms are
activated.

Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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4.4 Patient flow/transport

• Communication is essential when a patient goes to another department for testing, to
another unit or to other healthcare settings/facilities. This communication must include
Emergency Medical Services (EMS) staff and other transport staff.
• Patients should be restricted to their room, unless medically necessary.
• Patients must wear surgical/procedure mask during transport.
• If the patient needs to be transported and cannot wear a mask, transport
should be planned to limit the exposure of other individuals (e.g. no waiting in
the reception areas, transport in empty elevator) and it should be
communicated to receiving personnel so that consistent precautions can be
maintained. The transport personnel should wear an N95 respirator during
transport.
Refer to AV 1900 Respiratory Protection Program Policy

4.5 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

• Healthcare worker to wear appropriately fit-tested N95 respirator upon entering room
and when assisting or performing AGMPs.
Appropriate respirator use:
• Hand hygiene should be performed prior to putting on a respirator.
• Respirator should be inspected prior to donning for any abnormalities (tears, rips,
punctures)
• A seal check should be performed.
• After exiting Airborne Isolation Room, respirators should be carefully removed by the
straps to avoid self- contamination.
• The respirator should be discarded immediately after use, followed by hand hygiene.
Note:
• A respirator should not dangle around the neck when not in use.
• The respirator should be changed if it becomes wet or soiled (from the wearer’s
breathing or an external splash).

4.6 Management of patient care equipment

• As per routine practices. If contact precautions are also in use, then refer to Contact
Precautions Guideline 3.6.

4.7 Cleaning of patient environment

• As per routine practices. If contact precautions are also in use, then refer to
Contact Precautions Guideline 3.7.

4.8 Education of patient, family and visitors

• Educate as per Airborne Precautions signage.
• Visitors should be limited.
• Visitors should be counseled about their risk and advised to wear an N95 respirator.

4.9 Duration of precautions

• Airborne precautions should be discontinued after signs and symptoms of the infection
have resolved or as per Transmission Tables
Refer to IH0100 Transmission Tables
• Upon discharge or discontinuation of airborne precautions door must remain closed and
negative air flow maintained until all air in the room has been replaced. Requires 2
hours in a non-negative pressure room and 45 minutes in a negative pressure
room.

Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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4.10 Management of deceased bodies

• Airborne precautions should be used for handling deceased bodies and preparing
bodies for autopsy or transfer to mortuary services.
• Airborne precautions should be continued for the handling of a patient with infectious
respiratory tuberculosis, measles or varicella until appropriate time has elapsed to
remove airborne contaminants in the room. Requires 2 hours in a non-negative
pressure room and 45 minutes in a negative pressure room.

4.11 Airborne precautions for Residential Care

In addition to routine practices:

• Resident to be placed into a single room; the resident should be instructed to keep a
mask on and the door should remain closed. Transfer as soon as possible to a facility
with an airborne isolation room.

4.12 Airborne precautions for Clients in a Home Environment

In addition to routine practices:

• The healthcare worker should wear a fit-tested N95 respirator.

5.0 REFERENCES

1) Routine Practices and Additional Precautions In all Healthcare Settings. Provincial Infectious
Diseases Advisory Committee (PIDAC), Ontario; November 2012. ,
http://www.publichealthontario.ca/en/eRepository/RPAP_All_HealthCare_Settings_Eng2012.pdf

2) Routine Practices and Additional Precautions for Preventing the Transmission of Infection in
Health Care Settings; Public Health Agency of Canada; 2013 revised 2016,
https://www.canada.ca/content/dam/phac-aspc/documents/services/publications/diseases-
conditions/routine-practices-precautions-healthcare-associated-infections/routine-practices-
precautions-healthcare-associated-infections-2016-FINAL-eng.pdf

3) Routine Practices and Additional Precautions Assessment and Educational Tools. Public Health
Agency of Canada; 2013.

4) BCCDC Communicable Disease Control –Management of Measles September 2014.

http://www.bccdc.ca/resource-
gallery/Documents/Guidelines%20and%20Forms/Guidelines%20and%20Manuals/Epid/CD%20Ma
nual/Chapter%201%20-%20CDC/MeaslesSeptember2014.pdf

Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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Point of Care Risk Assessment is on the backside of each Precautions Sign

Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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Airborne Precautions Sign - Form #807900

Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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Airborne & Contact Precautions Sign - Form #807901

Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.
 Infection Prevention and Control
Section 04H-1H0200 (Airborne Precautions)
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Airborne Isolation Room – Anteroom Protocol

EFFECTIVE DATE: February 2011

REVISED DATE: February 2020

1.0 PURPOSE

An anteroom is used as a transitional space between the hallway and the airborne isolation room.
This transition area is where the Health Care W orker puts on their PPE prior to entering the
airborne isolation room. The HCW also will store all clean PPE in this area.

2.0 DEFINITIONS

Anteroom - anteroom is considered a clean area and is used to transition people in and out of the
airborne isolation room when it is under negative pressure.

3.0 GUIDING PRINCIPLES

3.1 During Airborne Precautions.

• The anteroom is to be used for anyone entering or exiting the patient room when the
room is used for airborne precautions.
• The laundry hamper shall be situated just inside the patient room when additional
precautions are in place.
• The only items that should be stored in this room include:
o PPE (N95 respirators, procedure masks, gowns, eye protection, gloves).
o Garbage container.
o Alcohol based hand rub (ABHR) in a holder.
o Disinfectant wipes in a holder.
o Precaution signs.
o Hand soap in a holder.
o Paper towels in a holder.
• Posters could include – hand hygiene, donning and doffing, instructions for families.

3.2 No Additional Precautions in use.

• DO NOT USE the room for storage.
• May be used to go in and out of patient room.
• Use for hand hygiene prior to entering and on exit from room.
• May be used to don PPE as necessary for routine practices.
4.0 PROCEDURE

4.1 During Airborne Precautions:

1. Doors to and from the anteroom and the patient room shall remain closed when the
room is used for airborne precautions.
2. Perform hand hygiene in the anteroom on entrance and exit from room.
3. Put personal protective equipment (PPE) on before entering the patient room.
4. Remove the N95 respirator in the anteroom after you have closed the door to the
patient room and have performed hand hygiene.
For airborne/contact precautions remove the gown and gloves just inside the patient room, and then remove
the N95 respirator in the anteroom after you have closed the door to the patient room.
Note: in this document the term “patient” is inclusive of patient, resident or client.