Clarification about Airborne Precautions

There have been several questions regarding the need for airborne precautions when performing aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) on asymptomatic patients who are awaiting a pending clearance test. VMC is clarifying that any aerosol-generating procedures performed on patients awaiting a pending clearance test (asymptomatic) should be performed under Temporary Airborne Precautions (with respiratory protection), unless/until the patient has a negative COVID test and no other respiratory-transmissible infections.

There has also been some confusion regarding how to communicate that a patient is on temporary Airborne Precautions due to an aerosol-generating procedure. Infection Prevention is introducing the sign below which should be mounted on a patient room door and filled in to indicate when the room ventilation is complete post-procedure, so that others entering the room are aware that respiratory protection is required in the interim.

This chart summarizes these changes: