Re: question on infection control
TRANSPORTATION OF TB ISOLATION PATIENTS
Patients with pulmonary TB should not be transported unnecessarily to other areas or departments, or leave the isolation room. For example, a TB patient needing a chest x-ray should have a portable done in the isolation room. If the isolated patient's recuperation and treatment would be compromised by examinations, procedures, and treatments performed in the patient's room, then the patient may be transported from the isolation room to other departments with appropriate respiratory protection procedures for both staff and patient.
The receiving department and Transportation Service should be notified in advance. The sending unit/clinic notifies the receiving procedure department staff that a TB isolation patient is being transported to them and will require immediate placement upon arrival in the procedure room. If suspected or known TB patients are transported, the patient should wear a mask (surgical, not a respirator). The patient is instructed to keep the mask on (over nose and mouth) at all times during transport to and from the procedure room. If the patient is on mechanical ventilation, a mask on the patient is not needed due to the microbial filter on the Ambu bag used in transport.
The transporter wears a PAPR when entering the TB isolation room to begin/end the transport process and when confined with the patient in the elevator or other enclosed space, if the patient is coughing and not masked. The PAPR is removed while transporting the patient in open areas such as hallways. The emergency transport elevator is used with access via the rear entrance to minimize patient contact with others. Elevators are cleared of passengers and non-essential persons when used to transport TB patients.
Employees who transport, or are present during the vehicular transport, of patients with confirmed or suspected TB are to wear respiratory protection while in the enclosed vehicle (ambulance, helicopter).
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