NEW YORK NURSE: September 2007

Ask the experts

CDC urges cough control

Q.: My facility recently implemented a new cough etiquette policy that applies to both employees and visitors. Is this a new requirement from the State Health Department?

A.: In 2007, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) published revised guidelines for preventing the transmission of infectious agents in healthcare settings. The guidelines include a section called Respiratory Hygiene and Cough Etiquette containing the following recommendations:

Education of healthcare personnel about proper infection-control practices.
Containment of infectious agents by: 1) posting signs that instruct patients and visitors to cover nose and mouth when sneezing and coughing, to use tissues, and wash hands; 2) providing patients and visitors with tissues and no-touch receptacles; 3) providing areas for patients and visitors to wash hands with either sinks or alcohol-based hand rubs; and 4) offering masks to potentially infected persons.
Placing patients with suspected respiratory infections in a single room or a cohort.
Proper cleaning of equipment and instruments.
Policies and procedures for routine and targeted cleaning of the environment using recommended disinfectants.
Proper disinfection of laundry and textiles.

According to the CDC, the transmission of infectious pathogens has decreased significantly since the inception of Standard Precautions in 1996. Due to the emergence of new pathogens, especially multi-drug-resistant organisms, and the transition of healthcare from primarily acute care settings to other settings such as home care, ambulatory, and long term care, the guidelines were in need of revision. In addition to the new recommendations listed above, the CDC has replaced the term ‘nosocomial infection’ with the term ‘healthcare-associated infection’ (HAI), and recommends the use of a mask for prolonged, high-risk spinal procedures such as epidural anesthesia and myelography.

For a copy of the revised CDC 2007 guidelines, go to www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dhqp/gl_isolation.html.

This is a sample of the questions NYSNA’s experts answer each day. The advice given is specific for the situation described and may not be applicable generally. If you have questions about your own work setting, it is recommended that you contact your NYSNA Nursing Representative or the Nursing Advocacy and Information Program, 11 Cornell Road, Latham, New York 12110-1499 or call 800-724-NYRN, ext. 282.