COVID-19: Guidance for infection prevention and control in healthcare settings. Version 1.0.

COVID-19
Guidance for infection prevention and control in
healthcare settings

Adapted from Pandemic Influenza: Guidance for Infection

prevention and control in healthcare settings 2020

Issued jointly by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC), Public Health Wales
(PHW), Public Health Agency (PHA) Northern Ireland, Health Protection Scotland (HPS)
and Public Health England as official guidance.

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Contents
Abbreviations ................................................................................................................... 5

Glossary ........................................................................................................................... 5

1. Introduction ............................................................................................................. 6

1.1 Scope and purpose ........................................................................................... 6

2. Transmission characteristics of COVID-19 and principles of infection

prevention and control ........................................................................................... 7

2.1 Routes of transmission ..................................................................................... 7

2.2 Incubation and infectious period ....................................................................... 8

2.3 Survival in the environment............................................................................... 8

3. Organisational preparedness for preventing and controlling COVID-19 ......... 10

4. Infection prevention and control precautions .................................................. 12

4.1 Standard infection control precautions (SICPs) definition ............................... 12

4.2 Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) definition ........................................ 12

4.3 Routes of transmission: .................................................................................. 12

5. Standard infection control precautions (SICPs) ................................................. 14

5.1 Patient placement/assessment for infection risk ............................................. 14

5.2 Hand hygiene.................................................................................................. 14

5.3 Respiratory and cough hygiene – ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’ .................................. 15

5.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ............................................................ 16

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5.4.1 Disposable apron/gown ....................................................................... 17

5.4.2 Disposable gloves ............................................................................... 17

5.4.3 Eye protection/Face visor .................................................................... 17

5.5 Safe management of linen (laundry) ............................................................... 18

5.6 Staff uniforms/clothes ..................................................................................... 19

5.7 Management of blood and body fluid spills ..................................................... 19

5.8 Management of healthcare (including clinical) and non-clinical waste ............ 19

6. Transmission based precautions (TBPs) for COVID-19 .................................... 20

6.1 Duration of precautions ................................................................................... 20

6.2 Segregation and cohorting (inpatient settings) ............................................... 20

6.2.1 Negative pressure isolation rooms ...................................................... 21

6.2.2 Single rooms........................................................................................ 21

6.2.3 Cohort areas ........................................................................................ 21

6.2.4 Staff cohorting ..................................................................................... 22

6.2.5 Visitors to segregated/cohort areas ..................................................... 22

6.3 Patient transfers and transport........................................................................ 23

6.3.1 Intra-hospital transfers: ........................................................................ 23

6.3.2 Transfer from primary care/community settings: .................................. 23

6.3.3 Inter-hospital transfers: ........................................................................ 23

6.4 Personal protective equipment (PPE) ............................................................. 23

6.4.1 Fluid resistant (Type IIR) surgical face masks (FRSM)........................ 24

6.4.2 Filtering face piece (class 3) (FFP3) respirators .................................. 25

6.5 Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs) .......................................................... 27

6.6 Management of equipment and the care environment .................................... 28

6.6.1 Equipment ........................................................................................... 28

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6.6.2 Environment ........................................................................................ 29

6.7 Care of the deceased ..................................................................................... 30

7. Occupational health and staff deployment ......................................................... 31

8. Specific settings.................................................................................................... 32

8.1 Care home settings ......................................................................................... 32

8.2 Primary care ................................................................................................... 32

8.3 Outpatient settings .......................................................................................... 33

8.4 Dental surgeries.............................................................................................. 33

8.5 Home visits ..................................................................................................... 33

8.6 Ambulances .................................................................................................... 33

8.7 Emergency departments and acute assessment units ................................... 34

8.7.1 Screening and triage ........................................................................... 34

8.7.2 Reception area .................................................................................... 34

Appendix 1 – Best practice how to hand wash ........................................................... 36

Appendix 2 – Best Practice How to hand rub ............................................................. 38

Appendix 3 – Best Practice - Putting on and taking off PPE ..................................... 39

Appendix 4: Routine decontamination of reusable non-invasive patient care

equipment .............................................................................................................. 40

Appendix 5 – Best Practice - Management of blood and body fluid spillages ......... 41

Appendix 6: Facial hair and FFP3 respirators ............................................................. 42

References ..................................................................................................................... 49

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Abbreviations

ABHR Alcohol based hand rub

AGP Aerosol generating procedure

CDC Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

DHSC Department of Health and Social Care

FRSM Fluid-resistant (Type IIR) surgical mask

FFP3 Filtering face piece (Class 3)

HCID High consequence infectious disease

HFOV High-frequency oscillating ventilation

HPS Health Protection Scotland

ICU/ITU/HDU Intensive care unit, intensive therapy unit, high dependency

unit

IPCT Infection prevention and control team

NERVTAG New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threat Assessment

Group

NIPCM National Infection Prevention and Control Manual

NIV Non-invasive ventilation

PHA (NI) Public Health Agency (Northern Ireland)

PHE Public Health England

PHW Public Health Wales

PPE Personal protective equipment

RPE Respiratory protective equipment

SICPs Standard infection control precautions

TBPs Transmission based precautions

WHO World Health Organization

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1. Introduction
This document outlines the infection prevention and control advice for healthcare workers
involved in receiving, assessing and caring for patients who are a possible or confirmed case of
COVID-19. It is based on the best evidence available from previous pandemic and inter-
pandemic periods and focuses on the infection prevention and control aspects of this disease
only, recognising that a preparedness plan will consider other counter measures.

The infection prevention and control advice in this document is considered good practice in
response to this COVID-19 pandemic.

N.B. The emerging evidence base on COVID-19 is rapidly evolving. Further updates may
be made to this guidance as new detail or evidence emerges.

1.1 Scope and purpose

This document provides guidance and information on infection prevention and control
procedures to inform and advise local healthcare planning for COVID-19. This guidance has
been written for the NHS, but the infection prevention and control principles apply to other
settings where healthcare is delivered. It is issued jointly by the Department of Health and
Social Care (DHSC), Public Health Wales (PHW), Public Health Agency (PHA) Northern
Ireland, Health Protection Scotland (HPS) and Public Health England as official guidance.

Whilst this guidance seeks to ensure a consistent and resilient UK wide approach, some
differences in operational details and organisational responsibilities may apply in Northern
Ireland, England, Wales and Scotland.

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2. Transmission characteristics of COVID-

19 and principles of infection prevention
and control
2.1 Routes of transmission

Infection control advice is based on the reasonable assumption that the transmission
characteristics of COVID-19 are similar to those of the 2003 SARS-CoV outbreak. The initial
phylogenetic and immunologic similarities between COVID-19 and SARS-CoV can be
extrapolated to gain insight into some of the epidemiological characteristics. The transmission
of COVID-19 is thought to occur mainly through respiratory droplets generated by coughing and
sneezing, and through contact with contaminated surfaces.1 The predominant modes of
transmission are assumed to be droplet and contact. For SARS-CoV, evidence suggests that
use of both respirators and surgical face masks offer a similar level of protection, both
associated with up to an 80% reduction in risk of infection.2 During AGPs there is an increased
risk of aerosol spread of infectious agents irrespective of the mode of transmission (contact,
droplet, or airborne) (Section 6.5 AGPs), and airborne precautions must be implemented when
performing AGPs, including those carried out on a suspected or confirmed case of COVID-19.

In light of the above, the Department of Health and Social Care’s New and Emerging
Respiratory Virus Threat Assessment Group (NERVTAG) have recommended that airborne
precautions should be implemented at all times in clinical areas considered AGP ‘hot spots’ e.g.
Intensive Care Units (ICU), Intensive Therapy Units (ITU) or High Dependency Units (HDU) that
are managing COVID-19 patients (unless patients are isolated in a negative pressure isolation
room/or single room, where only staff entering the room need wear a respirator).

In other areas a fluid-resistant (Type IIR) surgical mask (FRSM) is recommended; all general
ward staff, community, ambulance and social care staff should wear an FRSM for close patient
contact (within 1 metre), unless performing an AGP, when a filtering face piece (class 3) (FFP3)
respirator, eye protection, a disposable long sleeved gown and gloves should be worn.

Initial research has identified the presence of live COVID-19 virus in the stools and conjunctival
secretions of confirmed cases.1 All secretions (except sweat) and excretions, including

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diarrhoeal stools from patients with known or suspected COVID-19, should be regarded as
potentially infectious.

2.2 Incubation and infectious period

Assessment of the clinical and epidemiological characteristics of SARS-CoV-2 cases suggests

that, similar to SARS-CoV, patients will not be infectious until the onset of symptoms. In most
cases, individuals are usually considered infectious while they have symptoms; how infectious
individuals are, depends on the severity of their symptoms and stage of their illness. The median
time from symptom onset to clinical recovery for mild cases is approximately 2 weeks and is 3-6
weeks for severe or critical cases.3 There have been case reports that suggest infectivity
during the asymptomatic period, with one patient found to be shedding virus before the onset of
symptoms.4 Further study is required to determine the actual occurrence and impact of
asymptomatic transmission.

Precautions in section 5: Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) and section 6:

Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) should remain in place until symptoms resolve.

From international data, the balance of evidence is that infectivity has significantly reduced 7
days after the onset of symptoms.

2.3 Survival in the environment

Human coronaviruses can survive on inanimate objects and can remain viable for up to 5 days
at temperatures of 22-25°C and relative humidity of 40-50% (which is typical of air-conditioned
indoor environments).1 Survival on environmental surfaces is also dependent on the surface
type.1 Extensive environmental contamination may occur following an aerosol generating
procedure (AGP). The rate of clearance of aerosols in an enclosed space is dependent on the
extent of any mechanical/natural ventilation – the greater the number of air changes per hour
(ventilation rate), the sooner any aerosol will be cleared.5 The time required for clearance of
aerosols, and thus the time after which the room can be entered without a filtering face piece
(class 3) (FFP3) respirator, can be determined by the number of air changes per hour (ACH) as
outlined in WHO guidance; in general wards and single rooms there should be a minimum of 6
air changes per hour, in negative-pressure isolation rooms there should be a minimum of 12 air
changes per hour.6 Where feasible, environmental decontamination should be performed when
it is considered appropriate to enter the room/area without an FFP3 respirator. A single air

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change is estimated to remove 63% of airborne contaminants, after 5 air changes less than 1%
of airborne contamination is thought to remain.7 A minimum of 20 minutes i.e. 2 air changes, in
hospital settings where the majority of these procedures occur is considered pragmatic.

The precautions described in section 5.2: Hand hygiene and section 6.6: Management of
patient care environment and equipment should be followed.

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3. Organisational preparedness for

preventing and controlling COVID-19
Limiting transmission of COVID-19 in the healthcare setting requires a range of infection
prevention and control measures which can be considered as a hierarchy of controls.
Administrative controls are implemented at an organisational level (e.g. the design and use of
appropriate processes, systems and engineering controls, and provision and use of suitable
work equipment and materials) to help prevent the introduction of infection and to control and
limit the transmission of infection in healthcare. The control of exposure at source, including
adequate ventilation systems and effective environmental decontamination will physically
reduce exposure to infection. Employers are under a legal obligation – under control of
substances hazardous to health (COSHH) – to adequately control the risk of exposure to
hazardous substances where exposure cannot be prevented. The provision and use of personal
protective equipment (PPE), including respiratory protective equipment (RPE), will protect staff,
patients and visitors. Employees have an obligation to make full and proper use of any control
measures, including PPE, provided by their employer. The principles below are listed as a
hierarchy of infection prevention and control measures at a local hospital/ward level. (Note that
this list is not exhaustive but includes key principles and illustrates a useful approach to
preventing and controlling COVID-19).

Hierarchy of Control measures:

● Early recognition/reporting of cases;

● Early assessment/triaging of cases;

● Implementing control measures, including:

– maintaining separation in space and/or time between suspected and confirmed

COVID-19 patients,

– educating staff, patients and visitors about Standard infection control precautions
(SICPs) and Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs),

– prompt implementation of TBPs to limit transmission,

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– restricting access of ill visitors to the facility,

– instructing staff members with symptoms to stay at home and not come to work until
symptoms resolve,

– planning and implementation of strategies for surge capacity.

In preparedness for implementing these control measures all healthcare organisations should
undertake planning, and test the preparedness response for the various phases of a pandemic.
This includes:

● An assessment of their facilities’ current capabilities. Healthcare services will not be able
to operate under ‘business as usual’ during a COVID-19 pandemic. An assessment of
the practical ability to deliver care and implement control measures under the pressure
of an exceptional number of patient admissions and reduced staff numbers due to illness
must be assessed; ensuring their facilities’ most current blueprints are readily available
and accessible if needed to make necessary changes;

● An assessment of the current workforce;

● Working in a multidisciplinary team with healthcare and social care leaders/managers,

engineering, and clinical staff to plan for segregation of patients and/or services and
creation of adequate isolation rooms; identifying potential areas that could be converted
effectively with minimum modifications; and

● Defining engineering, administrative, and personnel requirements that can be efficiently

implemented during a pandemic COVID-19 event.8

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4. Infection prevention and control

precautions
Standard infection control precautions (SICPs) and transmission based precautions (TBPs)
must be used when managing patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19.

4.1 Standard infection control precautions (SICPs) definition

Standard infection control precautions (SICPs) are the basic infection prevention and control
measures necessary to reduce the risk of transmission of infectious agents from both
recognised and unrecognised sources. Sources include blood and other body fluids, secretions
and excretions (excluding sweat), non-intact skin or mucous membranes, and any equipment or
items in the care environment. SICPs should be used by all staff, in all care settings, at all
times, for all patients.

4.2 Transmission Based Precautions (TBPs) definition

Transmission based precautions (TBPs) are applied when SICPs alone are insufficient to
prevent cross transmission of an infectious agent. TBPs are additional infection control
precautions required when caring for a patient with a known or suspected infectious agent.
TBPs are categorised by the route of transmission of the infectious agent:

4.3 Routes of transmission:

● Contact precautions: Used to prevent and control infection transmission via direct
contact or indirectly from the immediate care environment (including care equipment).
This is the most common route of infection transmission.

● Droplet precautions: Used to prevent and control infection transmission over short
distances via droplets (>5μm) from the respiratory tract of one individual directly onto a
mucosal surface or conjunctivae of another individual. Droplets penetrate the respiratory
system to above the alveolar level. The maximum distance for cross transmission from
droplets has not been definitively determined, although a distance of approximately
1 metre (3 feet) around the infected individual has frequently been reported in the

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medical literature as the area of risk.7, 9

● Airborne precautions: Used to prevent and control infection transmission without

necessarily having close contact via aerosols (≤5μm) from the respiratory tract of one
individual directly onto a mucosal surface or conjunctivae of another individual. Aerosols
penetrate the respiratory system to the alveolar level.

Interrupting transmission of COVID-19 requires both droplet and contact precautions; if an

aerosol generating procedure (AGP) is being undertaken then airborne precautions are
required in addition to contact precautions.

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5. Standard infection control precautions

(SICPs)
5.1 Patient placement/assessment for infection risk

Patients must be promptly assessed for infection risk on arrival at the care area and, if possible,
prior to accepting a patient from another care area. Patients should be continuously reviewed
throughout their inpatient stay. In all healthcare settings, patients with symptoms of COVID-19
should be segregated from non-symptomatic patients as promptly as possible.

5.2 Hand hygiene

Hand hygiene is essential to reduce the transmission of infection in health and other care settings
and is a critical element of standard infection control precautions (SICPs). All staff, patients and
visitors should decontaminate their hands with alcohol based hand rub (ABHR) when entering
and leaving areas where care for –suspected and confirmed COVID-19 patients is being
delivered.

Hand hygiene must be performed immediately before every episode of direct patient care and
after any activity or contact that potentially results in hands becoming contaminated, including
the removal of personal protective equipment (PPE), equipment decontamination and waste
handling: https://www.who.int/gpsc/5may/Your_5_Moments_For_Hand_Hygiene_Poster.pdf

Before performing hand hygiene:

● expose forearms (bare below the elbows);

● remove all hand and wrist jewellery (a single, plain metal finger ring is permitted but
should be removed (or moved up) during hand hygiene);

● ensure finger nails are clean, short and that artificial nails or nail products are not worn;

● cover all cuts or abrasions with a waterproof dressing.

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Technique for hand washing and rubbing

● Hand hygiene includes the use of ABHR for routine hand hygiene and hand washing with
soap and water, including thorough drying, if hands are visibly soiled or dirty.

● The technique for hand washing must be carried out thoroughly and for a time period
sufficient to inactivate the virus i.e. 40 to 60 seconds. See Appendix 1 – Best practice
how to hand wash.

● ABHR must be available for all staff as near to point of care as possible, where this is not
practical, personal dispensers should be used. The technique for use of ABHR to
decontaminate hands must be carried out thoroughly and for a time period sufficient to
inactivate the virus i.e. 20 to 30 seconds. See Appendix 2.

● Where no running water is available or hand hygiene facilities are lacking, such as in a
patient’s home, staff may use hand wipes followed by ABHR and should wash their
hands at the first available opportunity.

5.3 Respiratory and cough hygiene – ‘Catch it, bin it, kill it’

Patients, staff and visitors should be encouraged to minimise potential COVID-19 transmission
through good respiratory hygiene measures:

● Disposable, single-use tissues should be used to cover the nose and mouth when
sneezing, coughing or wiping and blowing the nose. Used tissues should be disposed of
promptly in the nearest waste bin.

● Tissues, waste bins (lined and foot operated) and hand hygiene facilities should be
available for patients, visitors and staff.

● Hands should be cleaned (using soap and water if possible, otherwise using ABHR) after
coughing, sneezing, using tissues or after any contact with respiratory secretions and
contaminated objects.

● Encourage patients to keep hands away from the eyes, mouth and nose.

● Some patients (e.g. the elderly and children) may need assistance with containment of

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respiratory secretions; those who are immobile will need a container (e.g. a plastic bag)
readily at hand for immediate disposal of tissues.

● In common waiting areas or during transportation, symptomatic patients may wear a

fluid-resistant (Type IIR) surgical face mask (FRSM), if tolerated, to minimise the
dispersal of respiratory secretions and reduce environmental contamination.

5.4 Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)

Before undertaking any procedure staff should assess any likely exposure and ensure PPE is
worn that provides adequate protection against the risks associated with the procedure or task
being undertaken. All staff should be trained in the proper use of all PPE that they may be
required to wear.

In addition:

● Staff who have had and recovered from COVID-19 should continue to follow infection
control precautions, including the PPE recommended in this document.

All PPE should be:

● compliant with the relevant BS/EN standards (European technical standards as adopted
in the UK);

● located close to the point of use;

● stored to prevent contamination in a clean/dry area until required for use (expiry dates
must be adhered to);

● single-use only;

● changed immediately after each patient and/or following completion of a procedure or task;
and

● disposed of after use into the correct waste stream i.e. healthcare/clinical waste (this may
require disposal via orange or yellow bag waste; local guidance will be provided depending
on the impact of the disease)

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5.4.1 Disposable apron/gown

Disposable plastic aprons must be worn to protect staff uniform or clothes from contamination
when providing direct patient care and during environmental and equipment decontamination.

Fluid-resistant gowns must be worn when a disposable plastic apron provides inadequate cover
of staff uniform or clothes for the procedure/task being performed and when there is a risk of
extensive splashing of blood and/or other body fluids e.g. during aerosol generating procedures
(AGPs). If non fluid-resistant gowns are used, a disposable plastic apron should be worn
underneath.

Disposable aprons and gowns must be changed between patients and immediately after
completion of a procedure/task.

5.4.2 Disposable gloves

Disposable gloves must be worn when providing direct patient care and when exposure to
blood and/or other body fluids is anticipated/likely, including during equipment and
environmental decontamination. Gloves must be changed immediately following the care
episode or the task undertaken.

5.4.3 Eye protection/Face visor

Eye/face protection should be worn when there is a risk of contamination to the eyes from
splashing of secretions (including respiratory secretions), blood, body fluids or excretions. An
individual risk assessment should be carried out prior to/at the time of providing care.

Disposable, single-use, eye/face protection is recommended.

Eye/face protection can be achieved by the use of any one of the following:

● surgical mask with integrated visor;

● full face shield/visor;

● polycarbonate safety spectacles or equivalent;

Regular corrective spectacles are not considered adequate eye protection.

See Appendix 3 for the correct order of donning and doffing personal protective equipment (PPE).

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5.5 Safe management of linen (laundry)

No special procedures are required; linen is categorised as ‘used’ or ‘infectious’. All linen used
in the direct care of patients with suspected and confirmed COVID-19 should be managed as
‘infectious’ linen. Linen must be handled, transported and processed in a manner that prevents
exposure to the skin and mucous membranes of staff, contamination of their clothing and the
environment:

Disposable gloves and an apron should be worn when handling infectious linen.

All linen should be handled inside the patient room/cohort area. A laundry receptacle should be
available as close as possible to the point of use for immediate linen deposit.

When handling linen do not:

● rinse, shake or sort linen on removal from beds/trolleys;

● place used/infectious linen on the floor or any other surfaces e.g. a locker/table top;

● re-handle used/infectious linen once bagged;

● overfill laundry receptacles; or

● place inappropriate items in the laundry receptacle e.g. used equipment/needles.

When managing infectious linen:

● place directly into a water-soluble/alginate bag and secure;

● place the water-soluble bag inside a clear polythene bag and secure;

● place the polythene bag into in the appropriately coloured (as per local policy) linen bag
(hamper).

All linen bags/receptacles must be tagged e.g. ward/care area and date. Store all
used/infectious linen in a designated, safe, lockable area whilst awaiting uplift. Organisational
preparedness plans should consider the safe storage of excess linen awaiting collection and for
maintaining supplies of clean linen for patient use.

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5.6 Staff uniforms/clothes

The appropriate use of personal protective equipment (PPE) will protect staff uniform from
contamination in most circumstances. Healthcare facilities should provide changing
rooms/areas where staff can change into uniforms on arrival at work.

Organisations may consider the use of theatre scrubs for staff who do not usually wear a
uniform but who are likely to come into close contact with patients e.g. medical staff.

Healthcare laundry services should be used to launder staff uniforms. If there is no laundry
facility available, then uniforms should be transported home in a disposable plastic bag. This
bag should be disposed of into the household waste stream.

Uniforms should be laundered:

● separately from other household linen;

● in a load not more than half the machine capacity;

● at the maximum temperature the fabric can tolerate, then ironed or tumbled-dried.

NB. It is best practice to change into and out of uniforms at work and not wear them when
travelling; this is based on public perception rather than evidence of an infection risk. This does
not apply to community health workers who are required to travel between patients in the same
uniform.

5.7 Management of blood and body fluid spills

Spillages must be decontaminated in line with local policy. For an example, see Appendix 4.

5.8 Management of healthcare (including clinical) and non-clinical waste

Large volumes of waste may be generated by frequent use of PPE; advice from the local waste
management team should be sought prospectively on how to manage this.

Dispose of all waste as clinical waste.

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Waste from a possible or a confirmed case must be disposed of as Category B waste. The
transport of Category B waste is described in Health Technical Memorandum 07-01: Safe
management of healthcare waste. Disposal of all waste related to possible or confirmed cases
should be classified as infectious clinical waste suitable for alternative treatment, unless the
waste has other properties that would require it to be incinerated.

6. Transmission based precautions (TBPs)

for pandemic COVID-19
In addition to standard infection control precautions (SICPs), droplet precautions should be used
for patients known or suspected to be infected with COVID-19 in all healthcare settings.

● COVID-19 virus is expelled as droplets from the respiratory tract of an infected individual
(e.g. during coughing and sneezing) directly onto a mucosal surface or conjunctiva of a
susceptible individual(s) or environmental surface(s).

● Droplets travel only short distances through the air; a distance of at least 1 metre has
been used for deploying droplet precautions. However, this distance should be
considered as the minimum rather than an absolute:

● Transmission based precautions (TBPs (droplet) should be continued until the resolution
of the patient’s fever and respiratory symptoms.

6.1 Duration of precautions

Patients should remain in isolation/cohort with TBPs applied until the resolution of fever and
respiratory symptoms. The duration of TBPs may require modification based on the intelligence
gathered about COVID-19.

The decision to modify the duration of, or ‘stand down’ TBPs should be made by the clinical
team managing the patient(s); based on patient condition and in agreement with the local
Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT).

6.2 Segregation and cohorting (inpatient settings)

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6.2.1 Negative pressure isolation rooms

Special environmental controls, such as negative pressure isolation rooms, are not necessary
to prevent the transmission of COVID-19. However, in the early stages, and in high risk
settings, patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 may be isolated in negative pressure
rooms.

6.2.2 Single rooms

Wherever possible, patients with suspected or confirmed COVID-19 should be placed in single
rooms. In an escalating situation there is however likely to be a lack of single rooms/isolation
facilities. Where single/isolation rooms are in short supply, and cohorting is not yet considered
possible (patient(s) awaiting laboratory confirmation), prioritise patients who have excessive
cough and sputum production for single/isolation room placement.

Single rooms in COVID-19 segregated areas should, wherever possible, be reserved for
performing aerosol generating procedures (AGPs).

Single rooms in non-COVID-19 areas should be reserved for patients requiring isolation for
other (non-influenza-like illness) reasons.

The prioritising of patients for isolation other than suspected or confirmed COVID-19 patients
should be decided locally, based on patient need and local resources.

6.2.3 Cohort areas

If a single/isolation room is not available, cohort confirmed respiratory infected patients with
other patients confirmed to have COVID-19. Ensure patients are physically separated; a
distance of at least 1 metre. Use privacy curtains between the beds to minimise opportunities
for close contact. Where possible, a designated self-contained area or wing of the healthcare
facility should be used for the treatment and care of patients with COVID-19. This area should:

● include a reception area that is separate from the rest of the facility and should, if
feasible, have a separate entrance/exit from the rest of the building;

● not be used as a thoroughfare by other patients, visitors or staff, including patients being
transferred, staff going for meal breaks, and staff and visitors entering and exiting the
building;

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● be separated from non-segregated areas by closed doors; and

● have signage displayed warning of the segregated area to control entry.

Hospitals should consider creating cohort areas which differentiate the level of care required. It
may also be prudent to consider:

● the need for cohorting in single/mixed sex wards/bays

● underlying patient condition (immunocompromised);

● age groups when cohorting children; and

● routine childhood vaccination status when cohorting children.

6.2.4 Staff cohorting

Assigning a dedicated team of staff to care for patients in isolation/cohort rooms/areas is an

additional infection control measure. This should be implemented whenever there are sufficient
levels of staff available (so as not to have a negative impact on non-affected patients’ care).

Where possible, staff who have had confirmed COVID-19 and recovered should work in the
cohort areas and care for COVID-19 patients. Such staff should continue to follow the infection
control precautions, including personal protective equipment (PPE), as outlined in this
document (see section 7).

6.2.5 Visitors to segregated/cohort areas

Visitors to all areas of the healthcare facility should be restricted to essential visitors only, such
as parents of paediatric patients or an affected patient’s main carer. Local risk assessment and
practical management should be considered, ensuring this is a pragmatic and proportionate
response, including the consideration of whether there is a requirement for visitors to wear PPE
or respiratory protective equipment (RPE).

Visiting may be suspended if considered appropriate. All visitors entering a segregated/cohort

area must be instructed on hand hygiene. They must not visit any other care area.

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Signage to support restrictions is critical. Visitors with COVID-19 symptoms must not enter the
healthcare facility. Visitors who are symptomatic should be encouraged to leave and must not
be permitted to enter areas where there are immunocompromised patients.

6.3 Patient transfers and transport

6.3.1 Intra-hospital transfers:

● The movement and transport of patients from their single room/cohort area should be
limited to essential purposes only. Staff at the receiving destination must be informed
that the patient has or is suspected to have COVID-19.

● If transport/movement is necessary, consider offering the patient a fluid-resistant (Type

IIR) surgical mask (FRSM) to be worn during transportation, to minimise the dispersal of
respiratory droplets.

● Patients must be taken straight to and returned from clinical departments and must not
wait in communal areas. If possible, patients should be placed at the end of clinical lists.

6.3.2 Transfer from primary care/community settings:

● If transfer from a primary care facility or community setting to hospital is required, the
ambulance service should be informed of the infectious status of the patient.

● Staff of the receiving ward/department should be notified in advance of any transfer and
must be informed that the patient has or is suspected to have COVID-19.

6.3.3 Inter-hospital transfers:

● Patient transfer from one healthcare facility to another should be avoided; transfer may
be undertaken if medically necessary for specialist care arising out of complications or
concurrent medical events (for example, cardiac angioplasty, and renal dialysis). If
transfer is essential, the ambulance service and receiving hospital must be advised in
advance of the infectious status of the patient.

6.4 Personal protective equipment (PPE)

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Personal protective equipment (PPE) for the care of patients with COVID-19 is summarised in
Table 1, see Appendix 3 for how to put on and remove PPE.

Table 1: Transmission based precautions (TBPs): Personal protective equipment (PPE)

for care of patients with pandemic COVID-19

Entry to cohort General ward High risk unit Aerosol

area (only if * ICU/ITU/HDU generating
necessary) no procedures (any
patient setting)
contact*

Disposable No Yes Yes Yes

Gloves

Disposable No Yes Yes No

Plastic Apron

Disposable No No No Yes
Gown

Fluid-resistant Yes Yes No No

(Type IIR)
surgical mask
(FRSM)

Filtering face No No Yes Yes

piece (class 3)
(FFP3)
respirator

Disposable Eye No Risk Risk assessment Yes

protection assessment (always if wearing
an FFP3)

*Personal protective equipment (PPE) for close patient contact (within 1 metre) also applies to the collection of
nasal or nasopharyngeal swabs.

6.4.1 Fluid resistant (Type IIR) surgical face masks (FRSM)

Fluid-resistant (Type IIR) surgical masks (FRSMs) are worn to protect the wearer from the
transmission of COVID-19 by respiratory droplets.

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In all healthcare settings:

● A FRSM must be worn when working in close contact (within 2 meres) of a patient with
COVID-19 symptoms.

● In an area where pandemic COVID-19 patients have been cohorted together, it may be
more practical for staff to wear a FRSM at all times, rather than only when in close
contact with a patient. Similarly, in primary care/outpatient settings it may be more
practical for staff working in a segregated (COVID-19 patient) area to wear a FRSM for
the duration they are in the patient area.

● A FRSM for COVID-19 should:

– be well fitted covering both nose and mouth;

– not be allowed to dangle around the neck of the wearer after or between each
use;

– not be touched once put on;

– be changed when they become moist or damaged; and

– be worn once and then discarded as healthcare (clinical) waste (hand

hygiene must always be performed after disposal).

The provision of a FRSM for patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19 at point of

assessment or triage in any healthcare setting should be considered if the patient can tolerate it
(except when in a dedicated COVID-19 area).

6.4.2 Filtering face piece (class 3) (FFP3) respirators

Filtering face piece (class 3) (FFP3) respirators should be worn whenever there is a risk of
airborne transmission of pandemic COVID-19 i.e. during aerosol generating procedures (AGPs)
and at all times in intensive care unit (ICU), intensive therapy unit (ITU), high dependency unit
(HDU) where COVID-19 patients are cohorted.

All tight fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) (i.e. FFP3 respirators) must be:

● single use (disposable) and fluid-resistant*;

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● fit tested on all healthcare staff who may be required to wear an FFP3 respirator to
ensure an adequate seal/fit according to the manufacturers’ guidance; fit checked
(according to the manufacturers’ guidance) every time an FFP3 respirator is donned to
ensure an adequate seal has been achieved;

● compatible with other facial protection used i.e. protective eyewear so that this does not
interfere with the seal of the respiratory protection. Regular corrective spectacles are not
considered adequate eye protection;

● disposed of and replaced if breathing becomes difficult, the respirator is damaged or

distorted, the respirator becomes obviously contaminated by respiratory secretions or
other body fluids, or if a proper face fit cannot be maintained; and

● be worn once and then discarded as healthcare (clinical) waste (hand hygiene
must always be performed after disposal).

*valved respirators are not fully fluid-resistant unless they are also ‘shrouded’. If a valved, non-
shrouded FFP3 respirator is used appropriate eye protection must be worn.

In the absence of an anteroom/lobby remove FFP3 respirators in a safe area (e.g. outside the
isolation/cohort room/area).

All other PPE should be removed in the patient care area.

Further information regarding fitting and fit checking of respirators can be found on the Health
and Safety Executive website.

See Appendix 6 for guidance on facial hair and FFP3 wear.

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6.5 Aerosol-generating procedures (AGPs)

Aerosols generated by medical procedures are one route for the transmission of the COVID-19
virus. The following procedures are considered to be potentially infectious AGPs:

● Intubation, extubation and related procedures;

● Tracheotomy/tracheostomy procedures;

● Manual ventilation;

● Open suctioning;

● Bronchoscopy;

● Non-invasive ventilation (NIV) e.g. Bi-level Positive Airway Pressure (BiPAP) and
Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ventilation (CPAP);

● Surgery and post-mortem procedures in which high-speed devices are used;

● High-frequency oscillating ventilation (HFOV);

● High-flow Nasal Oxygen (HFNO)

● Induction of sputum (see glossary);

● Some dental procedures (e.g. high speed drilling).

For patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19, any of these potentially infectious AGPs
should only be carried out when essential. Where possible, these procedures should be carried
out in a single room with the doors shut. Only those healthcare staff who are needed to
undertake the procedure should be present. A disposable, fluid repellant surgical gown, gloves,
eye protection and a FFP3 respirator should be worn by those undertaking the procedure and
those in the room.

Certain other procedures/equipment may generate an aerosol from material other than patient
secretions but are not considered to represent a significant infectious risk. Procedures in this
category include:

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● administration of pressurised humidified oxygen;

● administration of medication via nebulisation.

Note: During nebulisation, the aerosol derives from a non-patient source (the fluid in the
nebuliser chamber) and does not carry patient-derived viral particles. If a particle in the aerosol
coalesces with a contaminated mucous membrane, it will cease to be airborne and therefore
will not be part of an aerosol. Staff should use appropriate hand hygiene when helping patients
to remove nebulisers and oxygen masks.

6.6 Management of equipment and the care environment

Decontamination of equipment and the care environment must be performed using either:

● A combined detergent/disinfectant solution at a dilution of 1,000 parts per million

available chlorine (ppm available chlorine (av.cl.)); or

● A general purpose neutral detergent in a solution of warm water followed by a

disinfectant solution of 1,000ppm av.cl.

Only cleaning (detergent) and disinfectant products supplied by employers are to be used.
Products must be prepared and used according to the manufacturers’ instructions and
recommended product "contact times" must be followed.

6.6.1 Equipment

Patient care equipment should be single-use items if possible. Reusable (communal) non-
invasive equipment should as far as possible be allocated to the individual patient or cohort of
patients.

Reusable (communal) non-invasive equipment must be decontaminated:

● between each patient and after patient use;

● after blood and body fluid contamination; and

● at regular intervals as part of equipment cleaning.

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An increased frequency of decontamination should be considered for reusable non-invasive

care equipment when used in isolation/cohort areas.

• ventilators should be protected with a high efficiency filter, such as BS EN 13328-1

• closed system suction should be used

See Appendix 4 for guidance on routine decontamination of reusable non-invasive patient care
equipment.

Avoid the use of fans that re-circulate the air.10

There is no need to use disposable plates or cutlery. Crockery and cutlery can be washed by
hand or in a dishwasher using household detergent and hand-hot water after use.

6.6.2 Environment

Patient isolations rooms, cohort areas and clinical rooms must be decontaminated at least
daily. Clinical rooms should also be decontaminated after clinical sessions for patients with
suspected/known pandemic COVID-19. In addition, patient isolation rooms must be terminally
cleaned:

● Following resolution of symptoms, discharge or transfer (this includes removal and

laundering of all curtains and bed screens);

● Once vacated by staff following an AGP. Clearance of infectious particles after an AGP
is dependent on the mechanical/natural ventilation and air change per hour(ACH) within
the room. A single air change is estimated to remove 63% of airborne contaminants;
after 5 air changes, less than 1% of airborne contamination is thought to remain. In an
isolation room with 10-12 ACH a minimum of 20 minutes is considered pragmatic; in a
side room with 6 ACH this would be approximately 1 hour. Advice should be sought from
the local Infection Prevention and Control Team (IPCT).

An increased frequency of decontamination should be incorporated into the environmental

decontamination schedules for areas where there may be higher environmental contamination
rates e.g.

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● toilets/commodes particularly if patients have diarrhoea; and

● “frequently touched” surfaces such as medical equipment, door/toilet handles and locker
tops, patient call bells, over bed tables and bed rails should be cleaned at least twice
daily and when known to be contaminated with secretions, excretions or body fluids.

Domestic/cleaning staff performing environmental decontamination should:

● be allocated to specific area(s) and not be moved between COVID-19 and non-COVID-
19 care areas;

● be trained in which personal protective equipment (PPE) to use and the correct methods
of wearing, removing and disposing of PPE. The care environment should be kept clean
and clutter free. All non-essential items including toys, books and magazines should be
removed from reception and waiting areas, consulting and treatment rooms, emergency
departments, day rooms and lounges. When made available, these items should not be
shared. All toys must be cleanable and should be cleaned regularly (preferably at the
same time as the environment).

6.7 Handling dead bodies

The principles of Standard Infection Control Precautions (SICPs) and Transmission Based
Precautions (TBPs) continue to apply whilst deceased individuals remain in the care
environment. This is due to the ongoing risk of infectious transmission via contact although the
risk is usually lower than for living patients. Where the deceased was known or suspected to
have been infected with COVID-19, there is no requirement for a body bag, and viewing,
hygienic preparations, post-mortem and embalming are all permitted.

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7. Occupational health and staff

deployment
Prompt recognition of cases of COVID-19 among healthcare staff is essential to limit the
spread. Healthcare staff with influenza-like illness should not come to work. As a general
principle, healthcare staff who provide care in areas for suspected/confirmed patients should not
care for other patients, although exceptions may be necessary.

A risk assessment is required for health and social care staff at high risk of complications from
COVID-19, including pregnant staff. Employers should:

● Discuss with employees who are at risk or are pregnant the need to be deployed away from
areas used for the care of those who have, or are clinically suspected of having, COVID-19;
or, in the primary care setting, from clinics set up to manage people with COVID-19
symptoms.

● Ensure that advice is available to all healthcare staff, including specific advice to those at
risk from complications.

Bank, agency and locum staff should follow the same deployment advice as permanent staff.

As part of their employer’s duty of care, providers have a role to play in ensuring that a fit
testing programme is in place for those who may need to wear filtering face piece (class 3)
(FFP3) respirator. In the event of a breach in infection control procedures e.g. an incorrectly worn
FFP3 respirator during a potentially infectious aerosol generating procedure (AGP, staff should
be reviewed by occupational health.

Occupational health departments should lead on the implementation of systems to monitor staff
illness and absence.

Where possible, staff who have had confirmed COVID-19 (early in the stages of the outbreak
this would be via virology confirmation, thereafter, this is likely to be as per case definition)
should work in the cohort areas and care for suspected/confirmed COVID-19 patients. Such
staff should continue to follow the infection control precautions, including personal protective
equipment (PPE), as outlined in this document.

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8. Specific settings
The following guidance is given to assist specific care settings to implement the principles of
standard infection control precautions (SICPs) and transmission based precautions (TBPs)
described in this document, which apply in all care settings.

8.1 Care home settings

Isolation within a care home for a known/suspected infection can be achieved in the persons’
bedroom in most cases. Residents should remain in their bedroom whilst considered infectious
(as described above) and the door should remain closed (if unable to isolate the individual then
this should be documented).

8.2 Primary care

In primary care settings (e.g. General Practitioner (GP) practices) suspected COVID-19
patients should be segregated in place or time from other patients, this may be achieved by:

● Creating a separate area within the facility for care of suspected patients, including
separate waiting and reception areas if possible. The area should be separated from
non-segregated areas by closed doors. To control entry, signage should be displayed
warning of the segregated area.

● Alternatively, suspected patients should be seen at a different time from other patients,
with disinfection of shared areas taking place between different clinics.

● GP practices may make arrangements for distinct COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 clinics.
(Non-essential GP clinics may need to be cancelled to enable this).

● Primary care staff should, wherever possible be allocated to either COVID-19 or

other patients.

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8.3 Outpatient settings

For patients who develop symptoms and have long term health conditions that require
attendance at outpatient settings e.g. hospital day care, options include:

● deferring the procedure and re-scheduling the next appointment;

● transferring the patient to a designated hospital with isolation or cohort facilities;

● introducing physical barriers such as screens in special units to separate patients with
symptoms of COVID-19.

8.4 Dental surgeries

Patients with symptoms of COVID-19 should not be seen for routine dental care. If a dental
emergency is suspected such as severe haemorrhaging or difficulty in breathing the patient
should be seen in a hospital environment.

If emergency dental care is required staff in attendance should be kept to a minimum and must
wear appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) (see table 1) particularly if this involves
high speed drilling section 6.5.

8.5 Home visits

Home visits should continue as long as required to patients without COVID-19. If it becomes
necessary to suspend some home visits, alternative arrangements must be put in place to
maintain contact (e.g. telephone liaison). Health and social care staff performing non-deferrable
essential visits (for example, child protection) to households with suspected/confirmed COVID-
19, should follow the infection control precautions in this document.

8.6 Ambulances

In ambulances, patient segregation can be achieved by:

● designating an ambulance(s) for transfer of patients with suspected/confirmed COVID-19

for the duration of each shift;

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● transporting coughing and sneezing patients on their own whenever possible. However, if
pressure upon the service occurs, two patients with symptoms of COVID-19 may be
transferred together and should wear a fluid-resistant (Type IIR) surgical mask (FRSM).

Depending on the stage of the pandemic and an assessment of risk, ambulance staff may be
required to wear respiratory protective equipment (RPE). This will be determined locally.

8.7 Emergency departments and acute assessment units

Emergency departments and acute assessment units may be overwhelmed with patients
seeking care during the peak of a pandemic. Alternative approaches to triage and initial
assessment will be required to:

● rapidly screen and identify those who have symptoms of COVID-19 upon their arrival;

● separate symptomatic patients from others to reduce the risk of transmission; and

● determine as early as possible the type of care patients will require (i.e. see and
discharge or admit for treatment).

8.7.1 Screening and triage

Signage should be displayed prior to and on entry to assessment units instructing patients with
symptoms to inform reception staff immediately on their arrival.

A triage practitioner(s) should be based in the reception to manage patient flow, including
deferral of patients who do not require emergency care.

8.7.2 Reception area

Patients with symptoms of COVID-19 should be triaged to a segregated waiting and

assessment area immediately. Patients should be instructed to stay in this waiting area and not
visit other departments or, parts of the hospital/unit, or go to public areas such as the cafeteria.
Signage and physical barriers should be used as appropriate.

If separate areas for patients with symptoms of COVID-19 cannot be established, an alternative
area/site should be set up for those at highest risk of complications from COVID-19 and who do
not have respiratory symptoms (e.g. patients presenting for dialysis, patients with a history of

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blood cell or organ transplantation, chemotherapy, or who are immunocompromised for other
reasons).

Patients who do not have symptoms of COVID-19 but require prompt acute care assessment
should be triaged to a specific waiting and examination area, physically separate from the
COVID-19 waiting and assessment area.

8.7.3Critical care
PPE must be worn:
• all respiratory equipment must be protected with a high efficiency filter (such as BS EN 13328-
1). This filter must be disposed of after use
• disposable respiratory equipment should be used wherever possible. Re-usable equipment
must, as a minimum, be decontaminated in accordance with the manufacturer’s instructions
• a closed suctioning system must be used
• ventilator circuits should not be broken unless necessary
• ventilators must be placed on standby when carrying out bagging

8.7.4 Theatres
• theatres must be informed in advance of a patient transfer of a confirmed or possible COVID-
19 positive case
• the patient should be transported directly to the operating theatre and should wear a surgical
mask if it can be tolerated
• the patient should be anaesthetised and recovered in the theatre. Staff should wear protective
clothing but only those at risk of exposure from aerosol generating procedures, ie during
intubation need to wear FFP3 respirators and full gowns. considerations about the use of
respiratory/anaesthetic equipment are addressed in the critical care section above
• instruments and devices should be decontaminated in the normal manner in accordance with
manufacturers’ advice
• both laryngoscope handle and blade should either be single use or reprocessed in the Sterile
Supply Department. Video laryngoscope blades should be single use and scope/handle
decontaminated as per manufacture instructions.
• the theatre should be cleaned as per local policy for infected cases, paying particular attention
to hand contact points on the anaesthetic machine
• theatres should not be used by staff or patients for 20 minutes after the patient leaves if
conventionally ventilated, or 5 minutes if ultraclean ventilation is used
• possible or confirmed cases of COVID-19 should be placed at the end of the list where feasible

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Appendix 1 – Best practice how to hand

wash

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Appendix 2 – Best Practice How to hand rub

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Appendix 3 – Best Practice - Putting on and

taking off PPE

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Appendix 4: Routine decontamination of reusable non-invasive

patient care equipment
Routine decontamination of reusable non-
invasive care equipment

• Check manufacturer’s instructions for suitability of cleaning products especially when dealing with electronic equipment.
• Wear appropriate PPE e.g. disposable, non-sterile gloves and aprons.

No Yes
Is equipment
contaminated
with blood?

No Is equipment contaminated
Yes
with urine/vomit/faeces or has
it been used on a patient with a • Immediately decontaminate
equipment with disposable
known or suspected
cloths/paper roll and a fresh
infection/colonisation? solution of detergent, rinse, dry
and follow with a disinfectant
solution of 10,000 parts per
million available chlorine (ppm
av cl) * rinse and thoroughly dry
• Decontaminate equipment • Or use a combined
with disposable detergent/chlorine releasing
cloths/paper towel and a • Immediately decontaminate
equipment with disposable solution with a concentration of
fresh solution of general- 10,000 ppm av cl*, rinse and
purpose detergent and cloths/paper roll and a fresh
solution of detergent, rinse, dry thoroughly dry
water or detergent
and follow with a disinfectant • If the item cannot withstand
impregnated wipes.
solution of 1,000 parts per million chlorine releasing agents consult
• Rinse and thoroughly dry. the manufacturer’s instructions for
available chlorine (ppm av cl) *
• Disinfect specific items of a suitable alternative to use
rinse and thoroughly dry
non-invasive, reusable, following or combined with
• Or use a combined
communal care equipment detergent cleaning.
detergent/chlorine releasing
if recommended by the
solution with a concentration of
manufacturer e.g. 70%
1,000 ppm av cl*, rinse and
isopropyl alcohol on
thoroughly dry
stethoscopes
• If the item cannot withstand
chlorine releasing agents consult
the manufacturer’s instructions for
a suitable alternative to use
following or combined with
detergent cleaning.

• Follow manufacturer’s instructions for dilution, application and

contact time. * Scottish National
• Clean the piece of equipment from the top or furthest away point Blood Transfusion
• Discard disposable cloths/paper roll immediately into the service and Scottish
healthcare waste receptacle Ambulance Service use
products different from
• Discard detergent/disinfectant solution in the designated area
those stated in the
• Clean, dry and store re-usable decontamination equipment National Infection
• Remove and discard PPE Prevention and Control
• Perform hand hygiene
Page
Manual
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Appendix 5 – Best Practice - Management of

blood and body fluid spillages

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Appendix 6: Facial hair and FFP3 respirators

*Ensure that hair does not cross the respirator sealing surface

For any style, hair should not cross or interfere with the respirator sealing surface. If the
respirator has an exhalation valve, hair within the sealed mask area should not impinge upon or
contact the valve.

*Adapted from The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, The National Personal Protective Technology Laboratory (NPPTL), NIOSH.
Facial Hairstyles and Filtering Facepiece Respirators. 2017.
Available online at https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/npptl/RespiratorInfographics.html . Accessed 26/02/2020.

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Appendix 7 Glossary

Aerosol-generating procedures Certain medical and patient care activities that

(AGPs) can result in the release of airborne particles
(aerosols). AGPs can create a risk of airborne
transmission of infections that are usually only
spread by droplet transmission.

Airborne Transmission The spread of infection from one person to

another by airborne particles (aerosols)
containing infectious agents.

Airborne particles Very small particles that may contain

infectious agents. They can remain in the air for
long periods of time and can be carried over
long distances by air currents. Airborne particles
can be released when a person coughs
or sneezes, and during aerosol generating
procedures (AGPs). “Droplet nuclei” are
aerosols formed from the evaporation of larger
droplet particles (see Droplet Transmission).
Aerosols formed from droplet particles in this
way behave as other aerosols.

Airborne precautions Measures used to prevent and control infections

spread without necessarily having close patient
contact via aerosols (less than or equal to 5μm)
from the respiratory tract of one individual
directly onto a mucosal surface or conjunctivae
of another individual. Aerosols can penetrate the
respiratory system to the alveolar level.

BS/EN standards Mandatory technical specifications created by

either the British Standards Institute (BS) or
European Standardisation Organisations (EN) in
collaboration with government bodies, industry
experts and trade associations. They aim to
ensure the quality and safety of products,
services and systems.

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Cohort area An area (room, bay, ward) in which two or more

patients (a cohort) with the same confirmed
infection are placed. A cohort area should be
physically separate from other patients.

Contact precautions Measures used to prevent and control infections

that spread via direct contact with the patient or
indirectly from the patient’s immediate care
environment (including care equipment). This is
the most common route of infection
transmission.

Contact transmission Contact transmission is the most common route

of transmission, and consists of two distinct
types: direct contact and indirect contact. Direct
transmission occurs when microorganisms are
transmitted directly from an infectious individual
to another individual without the involvement of
another contaminated person or object (fomite).
Indirect transmission occurs when
microorganisms are transmitted from an
infectious individual to another individual through
a contaminated object or person (fomite) or
person.

COVID-19 COVID-19 is a highly infectious respiratory

disease caused by a novel coronavirus. The
disease was discovered in China in December
2019 and has since spread around the world.

Droplet precautions Measures used to prevent and control infections

spread over short distances (at least 1 metre (3
feet) via droplets (greater than 5μm) from the
respiratory tract of one individual directly onto a
mucosal surface or conjunctivae of another
individual. Droplets penetrate the respiratory
system to above the alveolar level.

Droplet transmission The spread of infection from one person to

another by droplets containing infectious agents.

Eye/Face protection Worn when there is a risk from splashing of

secretion (including respiratory secretions),
eye/face protection can be achieved by the use
of any one of the following: a surgical mask with
integrated visor; a full face visor/shield; or

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polycarbonate safety spectacles or equivalent;

FFP3 Respiratory protection that is worn over the nose

and mouth designed to protect the wearer from
inhaling hazardous substances, including
airborne particles (aerosols). FFP stands for
filtering face piece. There are three categories of
FFP respirator: FFP1, FFP2 and FFP3. An FFP3
respirator provides the highest level of
protection, and is the only category of respirator
legislated for use in UK healthcare settings.

Fluid-resistant (Type IIR) surgical face A disposable fluid-resistant mask worn over the
mask (FRSM) nose and mouth to protect the mucous
membranes of the wearer’s nose and mouth
from splashes and infectious droplets. FRSMs
can also be used to protect patients. When
recommended for infection control purposes a
'surgical face mask' typically denotes a
fluid-resistant (Type IIR) surgical mask.

Fluid-resistant A term applied to fabrics that resist liquid

penetration, often used interchangeably with
'fluid-repellent' when describing the properties of
protective clothing or equipment.

Frequently touched surfaces Surfaces of the environment which are

commonly touched/come into contact with
human hands.

High Consequence Infectious Disease In the UK, a high consequence infectious disease
(HCID) (HCID) is defined according to the following
criteria: Acute infectious disease; typically has a
high case-fatality rate; may not have effective
prophylaxis or treatment; often difficult to
recognise and detect rapidly; ability to spread in
the community and within healthcare settings; and
requires an enhanced individual, population and
system response to ensure it is managed
effectively, efficiently and safely.

Healthcare/clinical waste Waste produced as a result of healthcare

activities for example soiled dressings, sharps.

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High risk units Intensive care units, intensive therapy units and
high dependency units.

Incubation period The period between the infection of an individual

by a pathogen and the manifestation of the illness
or disease it causes.

Induction of sputum Induction of sputum typically involves the

administration of nebulised saline to moisten and
loosen respiratory secretions (this may be
accompanied by chest physiotherapy (percussion
and vibration)) to induce forceful coughing.

Infectious linen Linen that has been used by a patient who is

known or suspected to be infectious and/or linen
that is contaminated with blood and/or other body
fluids e.g. faeces.

Long term health condition Defined as:

• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
bronchitis, emphysema or asthma
• Heart disease
• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Stroke or a transient ischaemic attack (TIA)
• Diabetes
• Lowered immunity as a result of disease or
medical treatment, such as steroid
medication or cancer treatment
• Neurological condition, such as
Parkinson's disease, motor neurone
disease, multiple sclerosis (MS), cerebral
palsy, or a learning disability
• Problem with spleen, including sickle cell
disease, or had spleen removed
• A BMI of 40 or above (obese).

Negative pressure isolation room A room which maintains permanent negative

pressure i.e. air flow is from the outside adjacent
space (e.g. corridor) into the room and then
exhausted to the outdoors.

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New and emerging viruses (including The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
respiratory viruses) (CDC) defines emerging infectious diseases as:
• New infections resulting from changes in or
evolution of existing organisms.
• Known infections spreading to new
geographical areas or populations.
• Previously unrecognised infections
appearing in areas undergoing ecological
transformation.
• Old infections re-emerging as a result of
antibiotic resistance in known agents or
breakdown in public health measures.

Personal Protective Equipment Equipment a person wears to protect themselves

(PPE) from risks to their health or safety, including
exposure to infection agents. The level of PPE
required depends on: Suspected/known infectious
agent; severity of the illness caused; transmission
route of the infectious agent; and the
procedure/task being undertaken.

Respiratory droplets A small droplet, such as a particle of moisture

released from the mouth during coughing,
sneezing, or speaking.

Respiratory symptoms ‘Respiratory symptoms’ include rhinorrhoea

(runny nose); sore throat; cough; difficulty
breathing or shortness of breath.

Segregation Physically separating or isolating from other

people.

SARS-CoV Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus,

the virus responsible for the 2003 outbreak of
human coronavirus disease.

SARS-CoV-2 Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2,

the virus responsible for the 2019 outbreak of
COVID-19 disease.

Standard infection control SICPs are the basic infection prevention and
precautions (SICPs) control measures necessary to reduce the risk of
transmission of an infectious agent from both
recognised and unrecognised sources of

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infection.

Single room A room with space for one patient and usually
contains as a minimum: a bed; locker/wardrobe;
and a clinical wash-hand basin.

Staff cohorting When staff care for one specific group of patients
and do not move between different patient
cohorts. Patient cohorts may include for example
‘symptomatic’, ‘asymptomatic and exposed’, or
‘asymptomatic and unexposed’ patient groups.

Transmission based precautions Additional precautions to be used in addition to

SICPs when caring for patients with a known or
suspected infection or colonisation.

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References
1. Health Protection Scotland. Rapid Review: Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines
for the Mangement of COVID-19. Health Protection Scotland, 2020.
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2019 novel coronavirus indicating person-to-person transmission: a study of a family cluster.
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