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Section 2. Recommendations for Care of Children in Special Circumstances
INFECTION CONTROL FOR HOSPITALIZED CHILDREN
Isolation Precautions
The Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) isolation guidelines for preventing transmission of infectious agents in health care settings 1 recommends preventive practices to be implemented according to the strength of evidence available. Adherence to these isolation policies, supplemented by health care facility policies and procedures for other aspects of infection and environmental control and occupational health, should result in reduced transmission and safer patient care. Adaptations must be made according to the conditions and population served by each facility.
Routine and optimal performance of Standard Precautions is appropriate for the care of all patients regardless of their diagnosis or suspected or confirmed infection status. Pathogen- and syndrome-based Transmission-Based Precautions are used in addition to Standard Precautions when caring for patients who are infected or colonized with pathogens transmitted by the airborne, droplet, or contact routes.
STANDARD PRECAUTIONSThese precautions are used to prevent transmission of all infectious agents through contact with any body fluid except sweat (regardless of whether these fluids contain visible blood), nonintact skin, or mucous membranes. Barrier techniques are recommended to decrease exposure of health care personnel to body fluids. Precautions are used with all patients when exposure to blood and body fluids is anticipated, because medical history and examination cannot reliably identify all patients infected with human immunodeficiency virus or other infectious agents. Standard Precautions decrease transmission of microorganisms from patients who are not recognized as harboring potential pathogens, such as antimicrobial-resistant bacteria. See Table 2.7 for new elements added to Standard Precautions (respiratory hygiene/cough etiquette). Standard Precautions include the following practices:
Hand hygiene
2 is necessary before and after all patient contacts and after touching blood, body fluids, secretions, excretions, and contaminated
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