Introduction
In the world, different diseases are affecting people. These diseases are spread and transmitted in different ways and therefore they have different ways of control. Every control measure depends on the kind of disease that is being handled and therefore every disease may have a unique way of control. However, some measures may apply generally to all kinds of diseases. Transmission-based precautions are some of the measures that doctors take to prevent the transmission of these diseases.
There are different precautions taken depending on the type of disease and the mode of transmission. Transmission-based precautions are modes of infection control used in health in addition to the normal care given to a patient to prevent the spread of infectious agents. This is mostly for the pathogens which call for additional measures to prevent their spread which may be fatal if allowed to spread on to other patients or staff.
Mostly these measures are taken on communicable diseases which occur as a result of an interaction between a source and a mode of transmission. Their spread is made more possible by the presence of a susceptible host and a favorable environment for the infectious agent to thrive (Garner, 1996, 17).
The modes of transmission are defined by the agent that is involved and may include airborne transmission, duplet among others. The spread of disease among people depends on the mode of transmission and some modes are faster than others. Though these precautions are taken to prevent the uninfected it doesn’t mean that the infected are left out for re-infection but they are also considered for the adverse effect that may be caused by these precautions.
Droplets precaution
Droplet precautions refer to various measures that are employed to curb the spread of some infectious diseases or agents. Some of these infectious infections are a result of any exposure of the respiratory membrane to some secretions of the respiratory 0 systems of people with infections. These pathogens do not remain infectious for a long span over long distances in the healthcare premises. Ventilation or aeration is a condition that is necessary for curbing the transmission of droplet infections. Droplet precautions are necessitated by the existence of some bacteria and viruses like flu, adenovirus among other antigens. The precaution is relevant before the expiration of 24 hours following any antimicrobial cure.
For the patient who requires droplet precaution single rooms where they can be isolated are required. If a single room is not available, the patient should have a placement with another patient. Even though this is recommended a spatial separation is advocated at least three feet is very important.
The healthcare workers should also take precautions while handling infected patients; they should put on the necessary preventive devices. Whenever the patient suffering from some infectious disease is being moved from one place or room to another, they should put on the necessary prevention devices to curb the spread of the infections to others (Siegel, Rhinehart, Jackson, et al. 2007, 1). This is an ethical practice in hospitals and should be encouraged because it mitigates the spread of these infectious diseases.
Importance of adhering to droplet precautions in a hospital
Adhering to the droplet precautions is very important for it is a way of maintaining a safe environment for the people interacting daily with these patients. This is one way of maintaining a healthy environment and nation. For example, taking the case of the famous H1N1 which is a fatal disease that claimed the lives of many if the droplet precautions were not considered it would have claimed more. The measures like wearing protective clothes save lots of lives in that they can carry the germs and take them to their homes which would mean a chain of infections and most probably unconsciously (Friedman & Sexton, 2010, 1).
Having in mind that no human can stay for a few seconds without breathing and how much it’s not in our hands to control what to breathe in it poses a great risk to us of inhaling these infectious agents into our respiratory system. Therefore the droplet precautions should be followed to the later to prevent the spread of these communicable diseases. The infectious agents can also be swept away by the wind which we have no control of where it blows and where it comes from hence they can be deposited anywhere.
They also look for a good environment where they can grow and develop and the provision of this means they start multiplying and infecting the hosts. Precautions therefore must be very much considered and adhered to to prevent risking the lives of millions and the nations.
The infectious agents are known to hold and live on many surfaces and regain their vigor when it finds a proper environment for growth. For example, when one sneezes into the hands and does not disinfect the hands the infectious agents live on the hands when they get a conducive environment they get to work and they grow and multiply. Considering their ability to survive in a great extent of surfaces for twenty-four being active till they get a favorable environment shows how fatal they can be if not put under control (Friedman & Sexton, 2010, 1).
The adherence to the droplet is vital for the communicable diseases spread like the bush fire. Considering the living condition in our urban and rural areas which is very close proximity the consequences of mishandled patients would be a pandemic in the nation and a tragedy of when to start in controlling the fast-spreading infection. Their survival strength is one advantage to their spread and fatality. This calls for the healthcare professionals and the caregivers to take caution or end up being wiped by the infectious agents.
The isolation of the patients infected with these agents is a powerful solution to its spread. Indeed it gives the healthcare professional an easier time in putting the tragedy of its spread under control. Due to the agents being spread through breathing and moist condition, the ability to control their spread is made easier when they can have a smaller area to deal with. They can control the moisture and temperatures of limited space as compared to a nation or community (Friedman & Sexton, 2010, 1).
Conclusion
The measures taken on communicable diseases which result from an interaction between a source and a mode of transmission are to prevent more spread. Increased spread is made more possible by the presence of a susceptible host and a favorable environment for the infectious agent to thrive. This means it is an interaction of four major components which must be present for the thriving of this disease-causing agent. Therefore if one of the components is interrupted like what the droplets precautions aids in doing the infectious agents are put under control or stopped from action completely.
Reference List
Friedman, D. & Sexton, D. J. (2010). General principles of infection control. US: UpToDate, Inc. Web.
Garner, J. (1996). Guideline for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals. Infection Control and Hospital Epidemiology 1996; 17(1): 54-80.
Siegel, JD, Rhinehart, E, Jackson M, et al. (2007). Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings. US: UpToDate, Inc. Web.