[Federal Register: November 9, 2001 (Volume 66, Number 218)]
[Notices]
[Page 56680]
From the Federal Register Online via GPO Access [wais.access.gpo.gov]
[DOCID:fr09no01-86]
[[Page 56680]]
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DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings
AGENCY: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Department of
Health and Human Services (DHHS).
ACTION: Notice of availability and request for public comment.
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SUMMARY: This notice is a request for review of and comment on the
Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings, available on
the CDC website at www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/hhguide.htm. The guideline
has been developed for practitioners who provide care for patients and
who are responsible for monitoring and preventing infections in
healthcare settings. The guideline is intended to replace the hand
hygiene recommendations in Guideline for Handwashing and Hospital
Environmental Control, 1985.
DATES: Comments on the Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare
Settings must be received in writing on or before December 24, 2001.
FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT: Requests for copies of the Draft
Guideline for Hand Hygiene in Healthcare Settings should be submitted
to the Resource Center, Attention: HHGuide, Division of Healthcare
Quality Promotion, CDC, Mailstop E-68, 1600 Clifton Rd., NE., Atlanta,
Georgia 30333; fax 404 498-1244; e-mail: hhrequests@cdc.gov; or
Internet: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/hip/hhguide.htm.
ADDRESSES: Comments on the Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in
Healthcare Settings should be submitted to the Resource Center,
Attention: HHGuide, Division of Healthcare Quality Promotion, CDC,
Mailstop E-68, 1600 Clifton Road, NE., Atlanta, Georgia 30333; fax 404
498-1244; e-mail: hhcomments@cdc.gov; or Internet: www.cdc.gov/ncidod/
hip/hhguide.htm.
SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION: The Draft Guideline for Hand Hygiene in
Healthcare Settings is designed to provide healthcare practitioners
with (1) a thorough review of evidence dealing with handwashing and
hand antisepsis in healthcare settings and (2) specific recommendations
to promote improved hand hygiene practices and reduce transmission of
pathogenic microorganisms to patients and personnel in healthcare
settings. Part I: Review of Scientific Data on Hand Hygiene Practices
in Healthcare Settings provides a historical perspective on hand
hygiene and reviews in detail the efficacy of various agents used for
handwashing and hand antisepsis and factors affecting adherence of
healthcare personnel to recommended hand hygiene practices. Part I also
discusses evidence documenting transmission of pathogens on hands, the
relation between hand hygiene and acquisition of healthcare-acquired
pathogens, and methods for improving hand hygiene. Part II:
Recommendations provides consensus recommendations of the Healthcare
Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) and other
professional societies for the practice of hand hygiene in healthcare
settings, including hospitals and ambulatory care, home care, and long-
term care settings.
HICPAC was established in 1991 to provide advice and guidance to
the Secretary and the Assistant Secretary for Health, DHHS; the
Director, CDC; and the Director, National Center for Infectious
Diseases, regarding the practice of infection control and strategies
for surveillance, prevention, and control of healthcare-associated
infections in U.S. healthcare facilities. The committee advises CDC on
guidelines and other policy statements regarding prevention of
healthcare-associated infections and related adverse events.
Dated: November 5, 2001.
Karen Groux,
Deputy Associate Director for Management and, Operations Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention.
[FR Doc. 01-28146 Filed 11-8-01; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 4163-18-P