[Federal Register Volume 66, Number 218 (Friday, November 9, 2001)]
[Notices]
[Page 56680]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 01-28146]



[[Page 56680]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings

AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of 
Health and Human Services (DHHS).

ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.

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SUMMARY: This notice is a request for review of and comment on the 
Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings, available on 
the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/hhguide.htm. The guideline 
has been developed for practitioners who provide care for patients and 
who are responsible for monitoring and preventing infections in 
healthcare settings. The guideline is intended to replace the hand 
hygiene recommendations in Guideline for Handwashing and Hospital 
Environmental Control, 1985.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare 
Settings must be received in writing on or before December 24, 2001.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for copies of the Draft 
Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings should be submitted 
to the Resource Center, Attention: HHGuide, Division of Healthcare 
Quality Promotion, CDC, Mailstop E-68, 1600 Clifton Rd., NE., Atlanta, 
Georgia 30333; fax 404 498-1244; e-mail: [email protected]; or 
Internet: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/hhguide.htm.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in 
Healthcare Settings should be submitted to the Resource Center, 
Attention: HHGuide, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC, 
Mailstop E-68, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Atlanta, Georgia 30333; fax 404 
498-1244; e-mail: [email protected]; or Internet: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/hhguide.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in 
Healthcare Settings is designed to provide healthcare practitioners 
with (1) a thorough review of evidence dealing with handwashing and 
hand antisepsis in healthcare settings and (2) specific recommendations 
to promote improved hand hygiene practices and reduce transmission of 
pathogenic microorganisms to patients and personnel in healthcare 
settings. Part I: Review of Scientific Data on Hand Hygiene Practices 
in Healthcare Settings provides a historical perspective on hand 
hygiene and reviews in detail the efficacy of various agents used for 
handwashing and hand antisepsis and factors affecting adherence of 
healthcare personnel to recommended hand hygiene practices. Part I also 
discusses evidence documenting transmission of pathogens on hands, the 
relation between hand hygiene and acquisition of healthcare-acquired 
pathogens, and methods for improving hand hygiene. Part II: 
Recommendations provides consensus recommendations of the Healthcare 
Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and other 
professional societies for the practice of hand hygiene in healthcare 
settings, including hospitals and ambulatory care, home care, and long-
term care settings.
    HICPAC was established in 1991 to provide advice and guidance to 
the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health, DHHS; the 
Director, CDC; and the Director, National Center for Infectious 
Diseases, regarding the practice of infection control and strategies 
for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated 
infections in U.S. healthcare facilities. The committee advises CDC on 
guidelines and other policy statements regarding prevention of 
healthcare-associated infections and related adverse events.

    Dated: November 5, 2001.
Karen Groux,
Deputy Associate Director for Management and, Operations Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 01-28146 Filed 11-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P