CDC Issues New Guidelines for Preventing Healthcare-Associated Pneumonia

WASHINGTON, D.C. and ATLANTA - The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Healthcare Infection Control Practices Advisory Committee (HICPAC) have released new recommendations regarding healthcare-associated pneumonia.

These guidelines update, expand, and replace the previously published CDC "Guideline for Prevention of Nosocomial Pneumonia." The new guidelines are designed to reduce the incidence of pneumonia and other severe, acute lower respiratory tract infections in acute-care hospitals and in other healthcare settings (e.g., ambulatory surgery centers and long-term care institutions) and other facilities where healthcare is provided.

To access the new recommendations, go to http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/rr5303a1.htm.

Source: CDC and SHEA