[Federal Register Volume 67, Number 83 (Tuesday, April 30, 2002)]
[Notices]
[Page 21252]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 02-10550]


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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Draft Guideline for Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare 
Facilities

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 Disinfection and Sterilization in Healthcare 
Facilities, 2003, available on the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/dsguide.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, especially those involved 
in sterilizing and disinfecting medical devices and surgical 
instruments. The guideline is intended to replace the section in 
Guideline for Handwashing and Hospital Environmental Control, 1985, 
that dealt with sterilization and disinfection.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Guideline for Disinfection and 
Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2003 must be received in 
writing on or before June 14, 2002.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for copies of the Draft 
Guideline for Sterilization and Disinfection in Healthcare Facilities, 
2003 should be submitted to the Resource Center, Attention: DSGuide, 
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/dsguide.htm.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft Guideline for Disinfection and 
Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2003 should be submitted to the 
Resource Center, Attention: DSGuide, 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/dsguide.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft Guideline for Disinfection and 
Sterilization in Healthcare Facilities, 2003 presents a pragmatic 
approach to the judicious selection and proper use of disinfection and 
sterilization processes in healthcare settings. The guideline is 
intended to assist healthcare personnel in preventing infections 
associated with contaminated medical devices or surgical instruments 
and is targeted to infection control professionals, infectious disease 
clinicians, physicians who perform endoscopic procedures (e.g., 
gastroenterologists, pulmonologists), central processing technicians, 
sterile processing technicians, operating room nurses and technicians, 
manufacturers of disinfection and sterilization equipment, and 
manufacturers of reusable medical devices.
    Part 1 of the two-part document provides information on chemical 
disinfectants recommended for patient-care equipment; these 
disinfectants include alcohol, glutaraldehyde, hydrogen peroxide, 
iodophors, ortho-phthalaldehyde, peracetic acid, phenolics, quaternary 
ammonium compounds, and sodium hypochlorite. Sterilization methods 
discussed include steam sterilization, ethylene oxide, hydrogen 
peroxide gas plasma, and liquid peracetic acid. Part 2 of the document 
provides consensus recommendations of the Healthcare Infection Control 
Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) for the practice of disinfection 
and sterilization in healthcare settings. Most recommendations are 
pertinent for the inpatient, outpatient, and home care setting, unless 
otherwise noted.
    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: April 24, 2002.
James D. Seligman,
Associate Director for Program Services, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 02-10550 Filed 4-29-02; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P