What is the purpose of transmission-based precautions?

The primary purpose of transmission-based precautions is to provide protection for patients, healthcare workers, and visitors in situations where a patient has a contagious disease caused by a specific pathogen. These precautions are vital in controlling the spread of infections within healthcare settings, particularly when dealing with infectious diseases that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact, droplets, or airborne routes.

Transmission-based precautions supplement standard precautions, which are routine measures taken with all patients to reduce the risk of transmission of unknown pathogens. While standard precautions apply to all patients, transmission-based precautions are specifically employed when a patient is known or suspected to be infected with a particular pathogen that poses an infection risk to others. This may involve using specific types of personal protective equipment (PPE), implementing isolation procedures, and following guidelines appropriate to the mode of transmission of the pathogen.

This approach effectively safeguards the health and safety of everyone involved by minimizing the risk of infection spread, which is crucial for maintaining a safe healthcare environment.