The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently released new and updated guidance to aid health care providers and hospitals in treating possible or confirmed patients with COVID-19.
- Resources for Hospitals and Healthcare Professionals Preparing for Patients with Suspected or Confirmed COVID-19 – Provides checklists highlighting key steps for hospitals and front-line healthcare providers in preparation for transport and arrival of patients with possible or confirmed COVID-19.
- Interim Guidelines for Collecting, Handling, and Testing Clinical Specimens from Persons for COVID-19 – Updates guidelines for clinical specimens for COVID-19 testing. Allows self- or healthcare worker-collected nasal swabs or nasal turbinate swabs as acceptable specimen type if nasopharyngeal (NP) swab is not possible.
- Interim Guidance for Outpatient Hemodialysis Facilities – Clarifies COVID-19 infection prevention and control (IPC) recommendations that are specific to outpatient hemodialysis facilities and is intended to complement the CDC’s Interim Infection Prevention and Control Recommendations for Patients with Confirmed Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) or Persons Under Investigation for COVID-19 in Healthcare Settings.
