Download Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette Policy

RESPIRATORY HYGIENE/
COUGH ETIQUETTE POLICY
PURPOSE: To prevent the transmission of all respiratory infections in healthcare settings
POLICY: The concepts of respiratory hygiene and cough etiquette involve using source control
measures to prevent patients with respiratory infections from transmitting their infection to others.
These measures should be incorporated into infection prevention practices as one component of
Standard Precautions.
1. Visual Alerts
a. Post visual alerts (in appropriate languages) at the entrances to the facility
instructing patients and persons who accompany them (e.g., family, friends) to
inform healthcare personnel of symptoms of a respiratory infection when they first
register for care and to practice respiratory Hygiene & Cough Etiquette
b. Free downloadable cough etiquette posters are available at the CDC’s Influenza
website for healthcare professionals:
http://www.cdc.gov/flu/professionals/infectioncontrol/resphygiene.htm
2. Patients with signs and symptoms of a respiratory infection should:
a. Cover the nose and mouth when coughing/sneezing
b. Use tissues to contain respiratory secretions and dispose of them in the nearest
receptacle after use
c. Perform hand hygiene after having contact with respiratory secretions or
contaminated objects
3. Ensure the availability of materials, including in waiting rooms, so that patients can adhere
to these measures:
a. Tissues and no-touch receptacles for used tissue disposal
b. Alcohol-based hand rub and/or handwashing supplies (soap and water, clean
towels)
4. Masking and Separation of Persons with Respiratory Symptoms
a. Offer surgical or procedure masks to persons who are coughing
b. When space and chair availability permit, encourage coughing persons to sit at least
three feet away from others in common waiting areas
5. Droplet Precautions
a. Advise healthcare personnel to wear a surgical or procedure mask for close contact,
in addition to standard precautions, when examining a patient with symptoms of a
respiratory infection, particularly if fever is present
b. These precautions should be maintained until it is determined that the cause of
symptoms is not an infectious agent that requires droplet precautions
2.02 RESPIRATORY HYGIENE/COUGH ETIQUETTE POLICY
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REFERENCES
Bennett, G. & Kassai, M. (2011). Infection Prevention Manual for Ambulatory Surgery Centers. ICP
Associates: Rome, Georgia.
Siegel, J. D., Rhinehart, E., Jackson, M., Chiarello, L., & the Healthcare Infection Control Practices
Advisory Committee. (2007). 2007 Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of
Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings. Atlanta, Georgia: Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention.
DISCLAIMER: All data and information provided by the Oregon Patient Safety Commission is for informational
purposes only. The Oregon Patient Safety Commission makes no representations that the patient safety
recommendations will protect you from litigation or regulatory action if the recommendations are
followed. The Oregon Patient Safety Commission is not liable for any errors, omissions, losses, injuries, or
damages arising from the use of these recommendations.
2.02 RESPIRATORY HYGIENE/COUGH ETIQUETTE POLICY
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