Policy Updates

The CDC released updated and simplified recommendations to prevent respiratory viral illnesses. The updated guidance, targeted to public audiences, identifies core prevention strategies to protect against respiratory viruses such as COVID-19, flu, and RSV, as well as additional strategies for people with certain risk factors for severe illness. Read the updated guidance.

NIOSH has honored a request by Makrite Industries, Inc. to voluntarily rescind one NIOSH respirator approval. Due to this voluntary rescission, respirators bearing the NIOSH approval number 84A-4170 (model number 910-N95S-N95) may no longer be used, manufactured, assembled, sold, or distributed. Read the NIOSH notice.

Shigematsu Works Co., Ltd. posted a user notice to clarify the donning instructions described in their User Instructions. Updated instructions apply to the Lambda-Line series N95 respirator.

The CDC issued a Health Alert Network (HAN) Health Advisory to alert healthcare providers to an increase in invasive meningococcal disease, mainly attributable to Neisseria meningitidis serogroup Y. As of March 25, 2024, 143 cases have been reported to CDC for the current calendar year. CDC recommends that healthcare providers: 1) have a heightened suspicion for meningococcal disease, … Continued

Join CDC and AMA as they discuss the current trends in measles epidemiology, recognition of measles, travel-associated risks, core healthcare infection prevention measures, and the importance of vaccination. This webinar will be on March 28 at 1 PM ET. Click here to register and submit questions in advance.

The AHRQ Patient Safety Network (PSNet) highlighted a study showing an increased risk-adjusted rate for HAI in transferred surgical patients compared with non-transferred patients, which in turn results in an increased financial burden on regional hospitals that accept these patients. Learn more.

Please read the March 2024 NHSN E-Newsletter for important updates, including:

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) issued a final rule that will require significantly reduced emissions from commercial facilities that sterilize medical devices and other equipment using ethylene oxide (EtO) gas. See the EPA website for more information on the rule, including an updated fact sheet.

Read the CDC Safe Healthcare Blog to learn about tips for patients to avoid HAIs.