What Are Airborne Precautions in Healthcare?

Airborne precautions are CDC infection control measures used with Standard Precautions for patients known or suspected to have diseases spread through the air, such as tuberculosis, measles and chickenpox. They include masking the patient, placement in an airborne infection isolation room, and a fit-tested NIOSH-approved N95 or higher respirator for healthcare personnel.

CDC's Transmission-Based Precautions guidance lists the core elements of airborne precautions:

• Source control. Put a mask on the patient.
• Patient placement. Place the patient in an airborne infection isolation room (AIIR). Where an AIIR is not available, CDC says masking the patient and placing the patient in a private room with the door closed reduces the likelihood of airborne transmission until transfer or discharge.
• Restricting susceptible staff. Restrict susceptible healthcare personnel from entering the rooms of patients known or suspected to have measles, chickenpox, disseminated zoster or smallpox if immune personnel are available.
• Respiratory protection. Use a fit-tested NIOSH-approved N95 or higher-level respirator for healthcare personnel.
• Limited transport. Limit movement of the patient outside the room to medically necessary purposes, with the patient masked.

Airborne precautions are added to Standard Precautions, which apply to all patients.

When an employer requires N95 respirators, OSHA's Respiratory Protection standard applies. That means a written program, medical evaluation before fit testing, fit testing before first use and at least annually, and training (29 CFR 1910.134(c), (e), (f), (k)). The Learn Laws® FAQ on NIOSH-approved respirators covers those program elements in more detail.

Learn Laws® is a training company, not a law firm. This FAQ is general information, not legal advice.