Understanding Airborne Precautions

What are airborne precautions?

Precautions are rules we follow in the hospital to prevent the spread of germs. Airborne precautions are used to prevent the spread germs from a sick person. Certain germs can travel to another person through the air we breathe.

Who needs airborne precautions?

Some examples of when airborne precautions are needed involve people with
• measles
• chicken pox (varicella)
• tuberculosis

What special treatment is needed in the hospital?

While in the hospital, you are in a private room. If you need to leave the room, you will wear a mask. The door to the room will always be closed. Anyone entering the room wears a mask to enter. Before leaving the room, staff and visitors remove the mask then perform hand hygiene. A sign outside the door will tell healthcare workers and visitors how to stop the germs from spreading to another person.

What can I do to prevent the spread of germs?

In the hospital or at home- perform hand hygiene

What is hand hygiene?

Hand hygiene is how to remove germs from your hands and help prevent the spread of infection.  Use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer if hands are not visibly soiled. Use soap and water if you can see the dirt on your hands.

Hand sanitizer:

• Apply product to palm of one hand
• Rub hands together covering all surfaces
• Keep rubbing until dry

Soap and water:

• Rub hands together for at least 15 seconds
• Rinse well with clean running water
• Dry with a clean towel or air dry

Perform hand hygiene

• Before eating
• After using the bathroom
• After touching body fluids
• After touching soiled dressings
• Before leaving your hospital room

Where can I get more information?

www.cdc.gov