On February 10, 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) updated their website page for Infection Control Guidance. The CDC recommends that healthcare facilities review their infection prevention and control policies and CDC infection control recommendations for COVID-19.
The Implement Universal Use of Personal Protective Equipment section was updated to expand options for source control and patient care activities in areas of moderate to substantial transmission and strategies for improving fit of facemasks. Source control is the use of well-fitting cloth masks, facemasks, or respirators to cover a person’s mouth and nose to prevent spread of respiratory secretions when they are breathing, talking, sneezing, or coughing.
In facilities located in a community with moderate to substantial community transmission of COVID-19, the CDC recommends that one of the following be worn by healthcare providers (HCP) for source control while in the facility and for protection during patient care encounters:
- An N95 respirator OR
- A respirator approved under standards used in other countries that are similar to NIOSH-approved N95 filtering facepiece respirators OR
- A well-fitting facemask (e.g., selection of a facemask with a nose wire to help the facemask conform to the face; selection of a facemask with ties rather than ear loops; use of a mask fitter; tying the facemasks ear loops and tucking in the side pleats; fastening the facemask’s ear loops behind the wearer’s head; use of a cloth mask over the facemask to help it to conform to the wearer’s face.
The CDC has also included a reference to Optimizing Personal Protective Equipment Supplies that provides a hierarchy of strategies to implement when PPE are in short supply or unavailable. The reference guide can be accessed here.
The CDC’s updated Infection Control Guidance can be accessed here.
Compliance Perspective
Issue
Each facility’s Infection Control Plan should include the most up-to-date guidance by the CDC and other trusted resources. Facilities must ensure that employee’s PPE fits well and that the plan includes guidance on what other resources can be used if PPE becomes limited or not available.
Discussion Points
- Review your facility’s Infection Control Plan to ensure it addresses the most recent recommendations from the CDC. Revise the Infection Control Plan as appropriate so it remains current.
- Train all staff on your Infection Control Plan, including strategies on wearing a well-fitting facemask. Document that the trainings occurred and file the signed training document in each employee’s education file.
- Periodically audit to ensure that all employees are wearing well-fitting facemasks according to CDC guidelines.
