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Pandemic Influenza Plan - Questar III

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Section 4: Infection Control<br />

Droplet precautions and patient placement<br />

Patients with known or suspected pandemic influenza should be placed on droplet<br />

precautions for the duration of their illness, and a minimum of 5 days from the onset of<br />

symptoms (note: the infectious period is under discussion with the CDC). Refer to the<br />

following CDC Website for a detailed explanation of droplet precautions:<br />

(http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/gl_isolation_droplet.html), which include:<br />

• Donning a surgical or procedural mask upon room entry. The practice of<br />

donning a mask upon room entry (as opposed to within 3 feet) may increase<br />

compliance and prevent unnecessary exposures.<br />

• Discard the mask after leaving the patient room. If the healthcare worker is<br />

attending multiple patients in the same room (e.g., in a cohort situation), the<br />

same mask may be utilized until the healthcare worker leaves the room.<br />

• Hand hygiene must be performed after each patient encounter (see CDC<br />

Hand Hygiene Guidelines:<br />

http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/gl_handhygiene.html ).<br />

• Place patient in a private room, if feasible. Patients may be cohorted if<br />

necessary. As patients may be infected with different strains of influenza<br />

virus or other infectious agents, care must be taken to prevent transmission<br />

within the cohort (i.e., spatial separation of at least 3 feet). See settingspecific<br />

cohorting sections of this document for recommendations on<br />

establishing and implementing cohorts in the hospital and long-term care<br />

settings.<br />

Aerosol-generating procedures for patients with pandemic influenza<br />

Aerosol-generating procedures (e.g., endotracheal intubation/extubation, suctioning,<br />

nebulizer treatments, and bronchoscopy) may increase the potential for dissemination of<br />

droplet nuclei in the immediate vicinity of the patient. Therefore, healthcare workers<br />

should wear the following personal protective equipment (PPE) when performing<br />

aerosol-generating procedures on patients with suspected, or known to be infected with,<br />

pandemic influenza:<br />

• Gloves<br />

• Gown<br />

• Face/eye protection<br />

• N95 respirator or other appropriate particulate respirator<br />

o Respirators should be used within the context of a respiratory<br />

protection program that includes fit-testing, medical clearance, and<br />

training.<br />

Additional work practice controls may further reduce transmission during an aerosolgenerating<br />

procedure, and should be implemented for patients with suspected or<br />

confirmed pandemic influenza:<br />

• Limit the numbers of HCWs present during the procedure to essential staff<br />

only.<br />

• Utilize closed systems for suctioning to prevent splattering/spraying of<br />

potentially infectious secretions.<br />

February 7, 2006 4-7

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