What type of isolation is required for a patient with tuberculosis?

Patients with tuberculosis (TB) require airborne precautions due to the mode of transmission of the bacteria that cause the disease, Mycobacterium tuberculosis. This organism is spread through tiny respiratory droplets that are expelled when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or speaks. Because these droplets can remain suspended in the air for extended periods and can infect others who inhale them, it is essential to employ airborne precautions to reduce the risk of transmission.

In a healthcare setting, airborne precautions typically involve placing the patient in a negative pressure room, which helps to prevent the spread of infectious particles to other areas. Healthcare workers and visitors must wear N95 respirators or equivalent masks to protect themselves from inhaling the infectious agents. Additionally, it is important to limit the movement of the patient outside of their isolation room to further mitigate the risk of spreading TB.

Other types of precautions, such as contact and droplet precautions, are not appropriate because they do not address the airborne nature of TB transmission. Standard precautions provide a baseline level of protection but are insufficient alone for a highly infectious disease like tuberculosis. Therefore, the necessity of airborne precautions is a critical component in managing care for patients diagnosed with TB.