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Tip of the week: Be aware of cough etiquette and respiratory hygiene

Infection Control Monitor, August 10, 2007

The CDC isolation precaution guidelines are out, and facilities need to be on top of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette, which are recommended in the new guidelines.

These recommendations came about in reaction to the SARS outbreaks and are steps that can reduce transmission in the event of an avian flu pandemic, says Michael Bell, MD, associate director for infection control with the CDC division of healthcare quality promotion.

If a coughing patient arrives in the waiting room, the CDC recommends that healthcare facilities have tissues, wastebaskets, and hand sanitizer in the waiting area to help the patient minimize exposure to others. Healthcare facilities should also post information teaching patients how to properly cover their cough. And personnel should also quickly move these potentially contagious patients to more isolated areas to prevent the spread of disease, says Bell.

To learn more about the recommendation in the guidelines, go to www.hcpro.com/content/74812.cfm. The cost is $10. Briefings on Infection Control subscribers received this story with their subscriptions.

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