[Federal Register Volume 69, Number 113 (Monday, June 14, 2004)]
[Notices]
[Page 33034]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 04-13265]



[[Page 33034]]

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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention


Draft Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing 
Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2004

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 Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of 
Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2004, available on the CDC Web 
site at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/isoguide.htm. This document is for use 
by infection control staff, healthcare epidemiologists, healthcare 
administrators, and other persons responsible for developing, 
implementing, and evaluating infection control programs for healthcare 
settings across the continuum of care. The guideline updates and 
expands the 1996 Guideline for Isolation Precautions in Hospitals.

DATES: Comments on the Draft Guideline for Isolation Precautions: 
Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 
2004 must be received in writing on or before August 13, 2004.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for copies of the Draft 
Guideline for Isolation Precautions: Preventing Transmission of 
Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 2004 should be submitted to 
the Resource Center, Attention: ISOGuide, 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/isoguide.htm.

ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft Guideline for Isolation Precautions: 
Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare Settings 
2004 should be submitted to the Resource Center, Attention: ISOGuide, 
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/isoguide.htm.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft Guideline for Isolation 
Precautions: Preventing Transmission of Infectious Agents in Healthcare 
Settings 2004 addresses new concerns about transmission of infection to 
patients and healthcare workers in hospitals and in long-term care, 
outpatient, home care, and other healthcare settings in the United 
States. The primary objective of the 5-part guideline is to improve the 
safety of the nation's healthcare delivery system. Part I reviews the 
scientific data regarding the transmission of infectious agents in 
healthcare settings and discusses emerging pathogens of special 
concern, including multidrug-resistant organisms and agents of 
bioterrorism. Part II discusses the fundamental infection control 
elements needed to prevent transmission of these agents. Part III 
reviews the two tiers of transmission precautions (i.e., Standard 
Precautions and Expanded Precautions) developed by the Healthcare 
Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC). New issues 
addressed in the guideline include Respiratory Hygiene/Cough Etiquette, 
which is intended to prevent transmission of respiratory pathogens at 
the first point of contact within a healthcare setting; Protective 
Environment, which is designed to protect allogeneic hematopoietic stem 
cell transplant patients; and strategies for control of multidrug-
resistant organisms. Part IV contains the consensus recommendations of 
HICPAC for preventing the transmission of infectious agents in 
healthcare settings. Part V provides suggested performance measures to 
assist healthcare facility staff in monitoring success in 
implementation of key recommendations in the guideline.
    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: June 3, 2004.
James D. Seligman,
Associate Director for Program Services, Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 04-13265 Filed 6-10-04; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P