Useful Information

Letter to Health Care Professionals on
Infection control measures for medical clinics in the community

24 March 2003

Dear Colleague,

You are probably aware of the outbreak of Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome occurring in Hong Kong recently. The available evidence suggests that the mode of transmission is most consistent with droplet spread through respiratory secretions. The following are suggested control measures for primary care clinics in the community setting, which emphasize on the use of barrier apparels, personal hygiene and environmental cleaning, in addition to universal precautions:

• Masking

• All staff should wear a surgical mask

• Patients should be asked to wear a mask if they have respiratory symptoms

• Handwashing with liquid soap

• Before and after patient contact, and after removing gloves

• Wear gloves

• For all direct patient contacts

• Change gloves between patients, and wash hands

• Wear gown

• During procedures likely to generate splashes or sprays of blood & body fluids, secretions, or excretions

• Eye protection (e.g. goggles)

• For aerosol / splash generating procedures

• Avoidance of aerosols

• Do not use nebulisers in patients with symptoms compatible with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome

• Environmental disinfection

• Clean surfaces daily with a disinfectant e.g. 1:49 diluted household bleach, sodium hypochlorite 1,000 ppm or 70% alcohol for metallic surfaces

• Disease detection

• Seek medical attention promptly if symptoms compatible with Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (e.g. fever, chills, myalgia, shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing)

Yours faithfully, (Dr. L.Y. TSE) for Director of Health