Subtitle Forum: What are the Three Types of Infection Control?
Infection control is an important part of modern healthcare, and understanding the different types of infection control is essential for staying healthy. The three main types of infection control are: Standard Precautions, Transmission-based Precautions, and Environmental Control.
Standard Precautions are the foundation of infection control. Standard Precautions are a set of infection control measures that apply to all patients, regardless of diagnosis or suspected infection. They involve hand hygiene, use of personal protective equipment (PPE), safe injection practices, and the use of safe work practices. Standard Precautions protect both patients and healthcare workers from the spread of infectious disease.
Transmission-based Precautions are additional infection control measures used when a person is known or suspected to be infected with an organism that is spread by contact, droplet, or airborne transmission. There are three types of Transmission-based Precautions: Contact Precautions, Droplet Precautions, and Airborne Precautions. Contact Precautions involve the use of gloves and gowns when providing care to a patient with an infectious disease that is spread by direct contact. Droplet Precautions involve the use of masks when providing care to a patient with an infectious disease that is spread by droplets, such as influenza. Airborne Precautions involve the use of special protective equipment, such as a respirator, when providing care to a patient with an infectious disease that is spread by airborne particles, such as tuberculosis.
Environmental Control is a set of infection control measures that involve controlling the environment to reduce the spread of infectious diseases. These measures include proper cleaning and disinfection of the environment, proper handling and disposal of contaminated materials, and proper ventilation. Environmental Control measures help protect both patients and healthcare workers from the spread of infectious disease.
Infection control is an important part of modern healthcare, and understanding the different types of infection control is essential for staying healthy. By following Standard Precautions, Transmission-based Precautions, and Environmental Control, healthcare workers and patients can help reduce the spread of infectious disease.