Respiratory Virus Infection Prevention in Health Care Settings

The Washington State Department of Health (DOH) developed this webpage to provide infection prevention and control resources to prevent the transmission of acute viral respiratory infections (such as SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and influenza) in health care facilities, including acute care hospitals, long-term, residential care facilities, and other settings where health care 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 health care workers, and the congregate nature of long-term care facilities.

Guidance for Health Care Settings

• Interim Return to Work Guidance for Healthcare Personnel (HCP) with COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, and Other Acute Viral Respiratory Infections (PDF) - DOH updated return-to-work recommendations for HCP with COVID-19, RSV, Influenza, or other acute viral respiratory infection.
• FAQs - Interim Return to Work Guidance for Healthcare Personnel with COVID-19, Influenza, RSV, and Other Acute Viral Respiratory Infections (PDF)
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Recommendations (PDF) - DOH PPE recommendations for HCP caring for patients with SARS-CoV-2 infection.
• CDC Preventing Transmission of Viral Respiratory Pathogens in Healthcare Settings - Includes recommendations about administrative and engineering controls, screening and triage, respiratory hygiene, source control, testing considerations, and vaccination.
• CDC Infection Control Guidance for HCP: Respiratory Viruses - Education-focused version of respiratory-virus IPC recommendations.
• CDC Viral Respiratory Infections Guidance for HCP - Addresses exposed asymptomatic HCP and HCP with suspected/confirmed infection.
• Preventing Measles (Rubeola) in Healthcare Settings (PDF) - Resource for health care facilities on preventing, identifying, and managing measles exposures.
• What To Do When You Are Sick With COVID-19 or Another Respiratory Virus - DOH community guidance* that aligns with CDC community prevention strategies while providing some additional protections.
• CDC Respiratory Virus Guidance - Community guidance* to prevent transmission of respiratory viruses.
• CDC COVID-19 How to Protect Yourself and Others - Community guidance* to prevent transmission of SARS-CoV-2.
• Healthcare-Associated Infections (HAI) - DOH Healthcare-Associated Infection and Antimicrobial Resistance resources, education, and training opportunities.

*Residential care settings may follow community guidance to prevent transmission of respiratory virus infections. Residential care settings include adult family homes, assisted living facilities, supported living, and enhanced services facilities.

All Health Care Settings

• Interim COVID-19 Outbreak Definition for Healthcare Settings (PDF)
• Influenza (Flu) Information for Public Health and Health Care
• COVID-19
• CDC COVID-19
• CDC Ventilation and Respiratory Viruses
• COVID-19 communication card (PDF)
  • Tips for using communication cards (PDF)

Long-Term Care Guidance

PPE

• Respiratory Protection Program for Long-Term Care Facilities
• PPE for Visitors to Long Term Care (PDF)

Reporting

• CDC/NHSN LTCF COVID-19 Module page - Nursing homes/skilled nursing, LTC for developmentally disabled - optional, and assisted living - optional
• CMS COVID-19 NHSN Requirements for Nursing Homes (PDF)
• Long-Term Care Facility NHSN Reporting Requirements and Guidance

Testing

• CDC Overview of Testing for SARS-CoV-2
• Nasopharyngeal (NP) Specimen Collection Instructions
• Self-Swab Mid-Turbinate Collection Instructions (PDF)
• Self-Swab Nasal Collection Instructions (PDF)
• Lab Testing and Cohorting Recommendations for Respiratory Outbreaks in Long-Term Care when COVID-19 and the Flu Co-Circulate (PDF)

Tools

• Ventilation and Air Quality for Reducing Transmission of Airborne Illnesses (PDF)
• COVID-19 Preparedness and Outbreak Control Checklist for Long Term Care Facilities (PDF)

Personal Protective Equipment

• CDC Isolation Precautions Guideline
• L&I Standards for Standard Precautions
• Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) page on Personal Protective Equipment
• CDC How to Tell if your N95 Respirator is NIOSH Approved (PDF)
• Donning and Doffing PPE (PDF) | Spanish (PDF)
• Conserving Supplies of Personal Protective Equipment in Health Care Facilities During Shortages

Signage

• Standard Precautions and Transmission-Based Precautions
• COVID-19 Announcement for Visitors (PDF) 
  • Translations: Spanish (PDF) | Russian (PDF) | Vietnamese (PDF)
• Maximum Occupancy Sign (Word)
• Quarantine Sign (PDF)

If you have any questions, email Healthcare Associated-Infections Program.