Guidelines in Practice: Transmission-Based Precautions

Abstract

The updated AORN "Guideline for transmission-based precautions" provides perioperative nurses with evidence-based guidance on preparing for emerging and persistent infectious threats and outlines strategies to reduce the risk of transmission in the surgical setting. This article provides an overview of the guideline and discusses recommendations for personal protective equipment; implementing standard, contact, droplet, and airborne precautions; infective airborne particle risk assessment; transporting patients with confirmed or suspected infectious disease; and preparing for emerging infectious diseases. A scenario illustrates the application of these practices during the transport of a patient on airborne precautions. Perioperative nurses should review the guideline in its entirety and apply the recommendations to support infection prevention; protect patients and personnel; and ensure safe, evidence-based care across all surgical settings.

Keywords: airborne precautions; contact precautions; droplet precautions; standard precautions; transmission‐based precautions.