Isolation may be defined as a protection procedure against types of diseases that can be easily transmitted though personal contact or airborne transmission. These isolation procedures are very commonly used in many institutional settings. Throughout this essay I will try to explain some of the most common types of isolation procedures in detail.
The first type of isolation I will discuss is Respiratory Isolation Level III. This isolation procedure is strictly used for patients who are diagnosed with tuberculosis. Some types of tuberculosis are Mycobacteria pulmonary tuberculous, Multidrug-resistant Tuberculosis (laryngeal or pulmonary), and Tuberculosis (laryngeal or pulmonary). Tuberculosis is an airborne transmitted disease and certain protective equipment must be worn to keep from being infected. .
These include:.
1) Particulate Respiratory Mask or Powered Air Purifying Respirator: these are required for anyone entering the room, visitors and even health care workers.
2) Gloves are needed whenever there is patient contact.
3) Disposable gowns must be worn if there is close contact with the patient or contamination is likely.
4) Protective Eyewear.
5) Stethoscopes must be disposable.
6) Private rooms must be assigned to each individual patient. These must have a negative pressure and the door should be closed at all times.
7) Hand washing is the most critical protection procedure against transmission. This must be done before and after leaving the room.
8) A Respiratory Isolation sign must be placed outside the patient's door.
Any equipment that is removed from a patient's room that has TB must be removed according to standards. Protective clothing must be removed in the anteroom of the isolation room. If there is not one provided, then the mask should be left on until after exiting the room. Disposable wastes must be discarded inside the patient's room in a waste basket lined with plastic. Patient care equipment should never be reused.