Table 3.

Infection Control Precautions for Patients Hospitalized With Suspected/Probable SARS^*

Place patient in a negative pressure, specially vented room Maintain a log of all persons entering the patient's room Restrict visitors as much as possible Limit the number of hospital personnel caring for the patient All health care workers entering the room should use a combination of contact (gowns, gloves, hand hygiene) and airborne (N-95 respirator) precautions and eye protection Do not bring pens, hospital charts, etc, in and out of the patient's room Minimize air turbulence when changing linens Clean surfaces in the room carefully and frequently with EPA-registered hospital-grade disinfectant Limit cough-inducing procedures (sputum induction, administration of nebulized medications, suctioning, bronchoscopy) Avoid use of noninvasive positive pressure ventilation (eg, CPAP, BiPAP) For patients receiving mechanical ventilation, use closed-suctioning devices, HEPA filtration on exhalation valve port Educate personnel involved in the care of these patients to be vigilant for symptoms of SARS for 10 days after contact with the patient Quarantine personnel with unprotected contact with a SARS patient during an aerosol-generating procedure

^*BiPAP = biphasic positive airway pressure; CPAP = continuous positive airway pressure; EPA = Environmental Protection Agency; HEPA = high-efficiency particulate air; SARS = severe acute respiratory syndrome.