Preventing Infectious Disease Transmission

Preventing the Transmission of Infectious Diseases

The objective of aims involved in the second link in the chain is to prevent the transmission of infectious diseases.

Isolation

Isolation consists of separating the source of infection in places and conditions that prevent direct or indirect diffusion of the agent by preventing their passage into the healthy or ill, susceptible patients, to interpose barriers to prevent clubs.

Purpose of Isolation

• Separating contagious people so they do not pass the disease to healthy people. (Common barrier or barrier isolation technique)
• Separating patients that have diminished defenses to protect them from the possibility of acquiring a communicable disease. (Reverse, protective, or barrier isolation technique)

General Rules

The rules vary according to the type of isolation, which depends on the mode of transmission of the disease. In hospitals, the type of isolation is identified with a specific color code, each color identifying the measures to be followed during isolation.

• The door of the room will be closed at all times, identifying the type of isolation.
• Careful hand washing before entering and leaving the room.
• Health staff, family, and visitors entering the room must wear gowns, gloves, masks, hats, and breeches whenever necessary to stay inside the room.
• When we have to remove objects and waste from an isolation room, use the technique of double bagging. One bag is considered clean and stays off at the door of the room, and the other, considered unclean, enters the room to collect everything you want out, and this is considered contaminated. When closing, the contaminated bag is introduced into the clean one.
• All medical devices used until the patient's discharge shall remain in the room, such as a sphygmomanometer, thermometer, and stethoscope. After discharge, disinfect and sterilize them.
• Use disposable kitchen utensils or disinfect them by immersion or sterilization.
• To keep the patient distracted, offer disposable magazines or newspapers. Objects that are easy to disinfect can also be given.
• Advise the patient on hygiene measures to be taken, such as hand washing when going to the bathroom, sputum disposal, etc., and how to do them in an appropriate place. Explain clearly the reasons for the isolation so the patient can understand and not feel rejected.
• Avoid using dirty or contaminated language in front of the patient, as it might be misinterpreted.
• Visitors should be informed about the isolation and its protocol.
• Both concurrent disinfection (while the patient remains admitted) and final disinfection (after isolation) must be scrupulous to avoid prolongation.