What type of precautions should be implemented for patients suspected of having SARS?

Patients suspected of having SARS (Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome) require standard precautions to minimize the risk of transmission. Standard precautions are essential infection control practices that apply to all patients, regardless of their diagnosis. These precautions include hand hygiene, the use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves and masks, and the safe handling of potentially contaminated surfaces and materials.

In the case of SARS, which is transmitted via respiratory droplets, the implementation of standard precautions is crucial for preventing the spread of the virus to healthcare workers and other patients. This includes ensuring that effective hand-washing techniques are practiced, appropriate PPE is utilized when providing care, and that precautions are taken when handling respiratory secretions.

While hand-washing is a critical element of standard precautions, it is only one component of the broader strategy needed to address respiratory infections such as SARS. Therefore, simply focusing on hand-washing does not encompass the full range of necessary precautions that must be employed when caring for these patients.