Isolation and infectious diseases policy - Hampshire Hospitals NHS ...

Winchester & Eastleigh Healthcare NHS Trust
Policy for Isolation and Infectious Diseases Policy
5.3 Modes of transmission
The emergence of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (SARS) in 2002, the
importation of monkeypox into the United States in 2003, and the emergence of
avian influenza present challenges to the assignment of isolation categories
because of conflicting information and uncertainty about possible routes of
transmission. Although SARS-CoV is transmitted primarily by contact and/or
droplet routes, airborne transmission over a limited distance (e.g. within a room),
has been suggested, though not proven.
5.3.1 Certain diseases may be transmitted between patients and potentially
between patients and members of staff e.g. Methicillin Resistant
Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA). Therefore it is sometimes necessary to
isolate patients who are infected or those who are particularly vulnerable to
infection.
5.3.2 The aim of isolation is to control, confine and minimize the spread of microorganisms.
As understanding of transmission of infection has improved,
isolation practices have become more evidence based and targeted (Damaini
2003)
5.3.3 Infection can be spread by a number of methods: airborne, droplet, contact
and blood borne spread.
5.3.4 Airborne transmission occurs by dissemination of droplet nuclei or dust
particles containing the infectious agent; microorganisms are therefore
dispersed widely over long distances.
5.3.5 Droplet transmission. Droplets (1-10um in diameter) are generated from the
source person primarily during coughing with influenza, sneezing and talking
and are propelled a short distance only; hence special ventilation is not
required to prevent transmission.
5.3.6 Direct contact transmission is the most important and frequent mode of
transmission contact transmission and involves either direct person-to-person
contact or indirect contact via a contaminated intermediate object (sometimes
called a fomite). Direct is by skin to skin contact and therefore the physical
transfer of microbes from an infected or colonized patient to a susceptible
host.
5.3.7 Indirect contact transmission occurs when a susceptible patient comes into
contact with a contaminated object e.g. equipment such as a commode.
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Authorities
Document Control Information
Author:
Sponsor:
Date:
Dr Kordo Saeed
microbiologist
Sue Dailly Lead Nurse
Infection Prevention and
Control
Paula Shobbrook Director of
Infection Prevention and
Control
01/08/11
Type:
Scope:
Reference:
Issue No:
Status:
Policy
Major
CP022 (IC 04)
4
Published