Back to the future: Redefining “universal precautions” to include masking for all patient encounters
Ibukunoluwa C. Kalu, David K. Henderson, David J. Weber, Sarah Haessler
Abstract
Despite recent guidance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) allowing institutions to relax in-facility masking strategies and due to our evolving understanding of respiratory pathogen transmission during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, we propose an updated standard for universal precautions in healthcare settings: permanently including universal masking in routine patient-care interactions. Such a practice prioritizes safety for patients, healthcare providers (HCPs), and visitors.
Topics & Concepts
Masking (illustration)PandemicCoronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19)Universal precautionsHealth careTransmission (telecommunications)Infection controlSevere acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2)2019-20 coronavirus outbreakMedicineDisease controlMedical emergencyDisease transmissionPatient safetyInternet privacyComputer scienceDiseaseIntensive care medicineFamily medicineVirologyInfectious disease (medical specialty)Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)TelecommunicationsPathologyPolitical scienceArtOutbreakLawVisual artsInfection Control and VentilationCOVID-19 and healthcare impactsCOVID-19 and Mental Health