• Evaluate High-Risk Areas

    Not all areas of your facility carry the same transmission risk. Areas with high traffic and prolonged patient dwell time deserve the closest attention.

  • Highest risk

    These are first-contact and high-density areas where symptomatic patients are most likely to interact with others before triage or isolation occurs.

    • Emergency Department 

    • Waiting rooms 

    • Main entrance

    • Registration desk

  • Moderate risk

    These areas see more controlled patient contact but still carry elevated risk due to shared equipment, close proximity, or vulnerable patient populations.

    • Nursing stations 

    • Imaging 

    • Laboratory 

    • Phlebotomy

  • Lower risk

    While these areas have less direct patient contact, there’s still staff-to-staff transmission risk to consider.

    • Break rooms 

    • Supply rooms 

    • Conference rooms

CDC guidelines for infection prevention

  • Patient triage and source control: masking and separating symptomatic patients at check-in

  • Hand hygiene and PPE availability: stocked alcohol-based hand rub and appropriate PPE (masks, gloves) at points of care

  • Respiratory hygiene signage and supplies: tissues, no-touch receptacles, and visible instructions in waiting areas

  • Environmental cleaning protocols: documented cleaning/disinfection schedules for shared surfaces and exam rooms between patients

  • Staff vaccination and illness policies: documented offering of influenza vaccination to staff and clear policies excluding symptomatic staff from patient contact

  • Written infection control plan: a designated point person and documented policies 

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