Isolation Guidelines Revised
The 1996 Guideline for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals was revised and expanded with the recent publication of the Guidance for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious agents in Healthcare Settings 2007 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This new document replaces the previous guidebook.
A number of factors dictated the need for modification of recommendations, including a more diverse array of healthcare facilities treating patients such as long term and home based care. Also incorporated is information about the growing array of infectious agents, including resistant disease strains. Another factor included addresses the critical role of administrative oversight to minimize the incidence of infections attributed to organizational characteristics.
An additional topic included in the publication is the broader array of pathogens that must be considered in the development of infection contol practices within a facility, such as biologic weapons. The Standard Precautions were expanded to implement points of control and limit disease transmission. Also updated was information containing appropriate procedures for caregivers treating patients who are immunocompromised and require isolation protocols.
The guidebook is a critical tool for infection control teams working in any sort of healthcare facility. Such can also be an information tool for healthcare administrators and epidemiologists.
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June 28, 2007 Related topics: Infectious Diseases, General Management & Administration, Standards