The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has updated their guidance for infection prevention and control (IPC) for healthcare settings. The most recent recommendations can be found here. In general, these updates do not reflect substantial changes to recommended practices, rather they have been made to further clarify, consolidate, and simplify existing healthcare IPC guidance.
Included in this update are multiple setting-specific guidance documents such as those for dental offices, assisted living communities, EMS, and dialysis clinics that have been streamlined and combined into the main IPC guidance for healthcare settings. This was done to make it easier for healthcare personnel to find relevant guidance for the duration of the COVID-19 response.
In addition, vaccination, testing, use of source control by healthcare personnel, patients, and visitors, and use of appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) by healthcare personnel caring for patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infections continue to be emphasized.
The IPC guidance for healthcare settings can be found on these three web pages:
- Infection Control: Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) | CDC
- Interim U.S. Guidance for Risk Assessment and Work Restrictions for Healthcare Personnel with Potential Exposure to SARS-CoV-2 | CDC
Upcoming Event: Project Firstline Town Hall on IPC Guidance
CDC’s Project Firstline is hosting a town hall for healthcare workers this Friday, September 17, at 2:15 PM ET, where CDC experts will discuss the updates and answer questions. This event will be a unique opportunity for CDC experts to speak directly to the healthcare workforce. Register today for the event or share with your healthcare partners.
