Please note the CDC has released "Updated Guidance: Prevention Strategies for Seasonal Influenza in Healthcare Settings".
This new guidance replaces previous seasonal influenza guidance and the interim H1N1 infection control guidance and combines both into one guidance document. As expected, the guidance strongly encourages influenza vaccination for healthcare personnel (seasonal vaccine will now include H1N1 within the vaccine).
The guidance also recommends the use of droplet precautions in healthcare facilities (instead of the modified airborne precautions included in the previous H1N1 guidance). Facemasks (rather than N95s) are recommended for close contact with patients with suspected or confirmed influenza. CDC recommends the use of N95 respirators only for “aerosol generating procedures”.
A 30-day public comment period will conclude on July 22, 2010. Written comments must be received on or before that date. Comments received after July 22, 2010 will be considered to the extent possible. CHA will submit comments; if you would like to share your comments with us, we can include them in our submission. Please submit your comments to CHA via the website forum discussion on this topic.
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