Which type of isolation is used for patients with airborne diseases such as tuberculosis?

Airborne precautions are specifically designed to protect against the transmission of diseases that can be spread through airborne particles. This includes infections that remain suspended in the air for extended periods, such as tuberculosis. These precautions involve several key practices: isolating the patient in a negative pressure room, ensuring that healthcare workers wear appropriate respiratory protection like N95 respirators, and limiting the movement of the patient outside their room.

In contrast, droplet precautions are used for diseases that spread through larger respiratory droplets, which do not remain suspended in the air. Contact precautions focus on preventing the spread of infections that can be transmitted through direct or indirect contact with the patient or their environment. Standard precautions are universal measures to protect against a wide range of infections but do not provide the specific protections involved in airborne illnesses. Thus, airborne precautions are essential for effectively controlling the spread of airborne diseases and protecting both patients and healthcare providers.