CDC releases guidance for long-term care on swine flu infection

Healthcare workers who are in close contact with patients having suspected or confirmed H1N1 flu should use N95 respirators, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said in interim guidance released Wednesday.

It acknowledged there is a shortage of the devices, saying, “appropriate selection and use of respiratory protection is critical.”

“A key strategy is to use source control, engineering, and administrative measures to reduce the numbers of workers who come in contact with patients who have influenza-like illness in order to reduce the consumption of respiratory protection equipment,” the CDC said. The guideline applies to the fall and winter of 2010. The CDC said it will continue to revisit the guidance.

To see the guidance, go to http://www.cdc.gov/h1n1flu/guidelines_infection_control.htm.