COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Healthcare Settings

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) developed this webpage to provide infection prevention and control resources to prevent the transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in healthcare facilities, including acute care hospitals, long-term, residential care facilities, and other settings where healthcare is being administered. Guidance for healthcare settings is often different from that of the general public due to the vulnerable nature of patients, the risk of exposure to healthcare workers, and the congregate nature of long-term care facilities.

Guidance for Healthcare Settings

CDC COVID-19 Infection Prevention in Healthcare Settings
CDC COVID-19 Guidance for Managing Healthcare Personnel (HCP) with SARS-CoV-2
DOH Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Recommendations (PDF)
WA DOH updated PPE recommendations for HCP caring for patients with suspected or confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection.
CDC Community Prevention Strategies for respiratory viruses
Community guidance that residential care settings*, whose staff provide non-skilled personal care, may follow to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in client’s homes.
DOH guidance for what to do if someone has COVID-19 or another respiratory virus.
DOH community guidance that aligns with CDC community prevention strategies while providing some additional protections. Residential care settings*, whose staff provide non-skilled personal care, may follow to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2 in client’s homes.
*Residential care settings include adult family homes, assisted living facilities, supported living, and enhanced services facilities.
DOH | Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI)
Healthcare-Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance resources, education, and training opportunities.

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Requests

The state PPE supply continues to be available to support organizations in extraordinary circumstances such as when supplies are unavailable through regular supply chains, when shipping delays cause an insufficient level of PPE, and when urgent needs arise that cannot be addressed through other means. If an urgent need exists, contact your local county emergency manager to determine how requests should be placed. They can answer questions about the request process.

If you have any questions, please contact us at HAI@doh.wa.gov

All Health Care Settings

Home Health/Home Care Guidance