To prevent the transmission of all respiratory infections
in healthcare settings, including influenza, the following
infection control measures should be implemented at the first
point of contact with a potentially infected person. T hey
should be incorporated into infection control practices as
one component of Standard Precautions.
-
Visual Alerts
Post visual alerts
(in appropriate languages) at the entrance to outpatient
facilities (e.g., emergency departments, physician
offices, outpatient clinics) instructing patients and
persons who accompany them (e.g., family, friends)
to inform healthcare personnel of symptoms of a respiratory
infection when they first register for care and to
practice Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette.
-
Respiratory
Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
The following measures to
contain respiratory secretions are recommended for
all individuals with signs and symptoms of a respiratory
infection.
- Cover
the nose/mouth when coughing
or sneezing;
- Use
tissues
to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them
in the nearest waste receptacle after use;
- Perform
hand hygiene (e.g., hand washing with non-antimicrobial
soap and water, alcohol-based hand rub, or
antiseptic handwash) after having contact with respiratory
secretions and contaminated objects/materials.
Healthcare facilities should ensure the availability
of materials for adhering to Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette
in waiting areas for patients and visitors.
- Provide tissues and no-touch receptacles
for used tissue disposal.
- Provide conveniently located
dispensers of alcohol-based
hand rub; where sinks are available, ensure that
supplies for hand washing (i.e., soap, disposable
towels) are consistently available.
-
Masking and Separation of Persons with Respiratory
Symptoms
During periods of increased respiratory infection activity
in the community (e.g., when there is increased absenteeism
in schools and work settings and increased medical office
visits by persons complaining of respiratory illness), offer
masks to persons who are coughing. Either procedure masks
(i.e., with ear loops) or surgical masks (i.e., with ties)
may be used to contain respiratory secretions (respirators
such as N-95 or above are not necessary for this purpose).
When space and chair availability permit, encourage coughing
persons to sit at least three feet away from others in common
waiting areas. Some facilities may find it logistically easier
to institute this recommendation year-round.
- Droplet Precautions
Advise healthcare personnel to observe Droplet Precautions
(i.e., wearing a surgical or procedure mask for close contact),
in addition to Standard Precautions, when examining a patient
with symptoms of a respiratory infection, particularly if
fever is present. These precautions should be maintained
until it is determined that the cause of symptoms is not
an infectious agent that requires Droplet Precautions www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/ISOLAT/Isolat.htm.
NOTE: These recommendations are based
on the Draft Guideline for Isolation
Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents
in Healthcare Settings.
Recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control Practices
Advisory Committee (HICPAC), CDC
For more information, visit www.cdc.gov/flu ,
or CDC's Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip ,
or call the National Immunization Hotline at (800) 232-2522
(English), (800) 232-0233 (español), or (800) 243-7889
(TTY).
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