On March 11, the Pennsylvania Department of Health (DOH) released the following updates based on guidance released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) on March 10, 2020, for infection prevention and control recommendations for patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 in healthcare settings.
- Based on local and regional situational analysis of PPE supplies, facemasks are an
acceptable alternative when the supply chain of respirators cannot meet the demand - Prioritize available respirators for procedures that are likely to generate respiratory aerosols, which would pose the highest exposure risk to HCP
- When the supply chain is restored, facilities with a respiratory protection program
should return to use of respirators
- When the supply chain is restored, facilities with a respiratory protection program
- Eye protection, gown, and gloves continue to be recommended in addition to masks
- Facilities could consider designating entire units within the facility, with dedicated HCP, to
care for known or suspected COVID-19 patients - Place a patient with known or suspected COVID-19 in a single-person room with the door
closed with a dedicated bathroom. Reserve Airborne Infection Isolation Rooms (AIIRs) for
patients who will be undergoing aerosol-generating procedures - Implement source control by putting a facemask over the mouth and nose of a person with
respiratory symptoms - If you have specific questions on infection control measures in addition to these guidelines,
call DOH at 1-877-PA-HEALTH (1-877-724-3258)
Click here to view the full guidance.
Originally released by the Pennsylvania Department of Health on March 11, 2020.
